Download the Terms of Reference here
Who we are
The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders–Kenya (Defenders Coalition) is a national organization incorporated in the Republic of Kenya as a Trust. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders (HRDs) to work effectively in the country and to reduce their vulnerability to the risk of persecution, through protection, capacity building, and advocacy for a favorable legal and policy environment. Established in 2007, Defenders Coalition is the only national organization that works primarily for the protection of HRDs.
Defenders Coalition’s strategic plan 2020 – 2025 outlines the vision, mission, and strategies of realizing the same. Guided by pillar 4 which focuses on institutional excellence, Defenders Coalition seeks to consolidate its position as a dynamic, effective and sustainable organization with focus on further strengthening and diversifying its resource base as well as its internal policies and structures which will manifest in form of changes in diversity and levels of funding with a desired end result of establishing an internal environment that safeguards the integrity of Defenders Coalition resources.
Defenders Coalition believes that the kind of work that we do requires that we are “in it for a long haul” and hence the need to an expanded and stable resource base for the organization, as well as establish and sustain a strong HRD movement by among other things facilitating them access resources for enhanced HRDs agency, amplifying their voice, increased social status and bargaining power.
Defenders Coalition seeks the services of a consultant(s) or consultancy firm to lead in the development of policies and procedures for co-hosting and subgrating partner organizations. The framework shall among other things incorporate the mechanisms for assessing organizational capacities regarding their competence, needs, resources, internal control and work on anti-corruption as well as meaningful, effective and accessible grant development, management, accountability and capacity enhancement framework.
The set frameworks shall include best practices in grant oversight, grant coordination, risk mitigation and limiting exposure to grant-related legal liability, assessing efficiency and impact of HRDs’ work, and ensuring consistency and accountability in securing and managing grant funds.
Subgranting: The specific objective is to set up the subgranting policy framework with the requisite governance mechanisms for effective grants management and administration. Such would be expected to maintain meaningful grant coordination, oversight and impact assessment and documentation. The policy shall specifically oversee all requests, application submissions, acceptances/ approvals and disapprovals, pre award, post award and closeout requirements, including programmatic and financial reporting; and project monitoring and evaluation where it is neccesary.
Co-hosting: The specific objective is to develop a framework for assessing partners capacity, internal controls, risks, value addition and impact for meaningful partnership and maintaining effective grant management, reporting, recognition and dispute management.
Specific tasks of the consultancy will include:
Profile of the Consultant
Essential
Additional
Interested applicants shall present to the Defenders Coalition both financial and technical proposals for the project. The technical proposal must cover all-important aspects of the project and the financial proposal should cover professional and support costs.
Application procedure
Interested applicants who meet the job requirements and qualifications and with the right personal attributes are invited to complete and submit the following:
All applications should be sent to Defenders Coalition Executive Director via info@defenderscoalition.org copy procurement@defenderscoalition.org by March 27 2023 with the subject line THE DEFENDERS COALITION GRANTS MANAGEMENT POLICY.
Disclaimer Defenders Coalition is an equal opportunity employer, committed to ensuring diversity, inclusivity and gender equality within our organization and work. Defenders Coalition, thus will recruit/award the consultancy to the most qualified person /company irrespective of race, color, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, gender, ethnicity. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Download the Terms of Reference here
Terms Of Reference for the Development of a Procurement Policy
Introduction:
The Defenders Coalition is the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya that works to strengthen the capacity of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to work effectively and to reduce their vulnerability to the risk of persecution by advocating for a favourable legal and policy environment in Kenya.
Our mission is to Champion the safety, Security and wellbeing of Human Rights Defenders focusing on four main areas as follows:
Purpose
Defenders Coalition which has grown in size and operations since its founding in 2007 is in the process of reviewing current policies of the organization to respond to its growth and dynamic operating environment of modern approaches and growing service demands.
Defenders Coalition therefore seeks the services of a consultant (s) or consultancy firm to lead in the develop a Procurement Policy for the organization to enhance operational capacity, efficiency and effectiveness. The successful candidate is expected to support the development of a Standalone procurement policy that incorporate best practices for enhancing internal controls, transparency, integrity, accountability and ensuring best value for money
Terms Of Reference
The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a procurement policy that can be used to support the procurement function of the Defenders Coalition. The consultant(s) shall
Scope of the Consultancy
Working under the guidance of Head of Programmes, the scope of work of the consultancy shall include
Deliverables:
Qualification and experience Essential experience
Essential experience
How to apply;
Interested candidates should send the following documents to Defenders Coalition via info@defenderscoalition.org indicating “Consultancy for Development of Procurement Policy” as the subject latest by 11.59 pm 27th March 2023.
The following documents are to be submitted:
Selection process and criteria
Note: It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate previous experience and justification for the proposed consultancy. The panel will review the documents and evaluate capacity based on the information in the above required documents. The panel will only review/evaluate the documents that are stated above.
January 23, 2023
Johannesburg | Mbabane
“They have intended to hurt us, to break our spirit, our moral strength and crush our resilience so that we succumb to their evil desires.”
Excerpts from an open letter from prison written by Thulani Maseko in 2015.
As SouthernDefenders, we express our pain and outrage at the brazen assassination of renowned human rights lawyer, Thulani Maseko who was gunned down at point blank range, in front of his wife and children at his home in Luhleko, Mbabane, on the evening of January 21, 2023. This atrocious, cowardly and cold-blooded act came a few hours after King Mswati had issued ‘stern warnings’ to those calling for democratic reforms in the country, and that his hired mercenaries would deal with them.
At the time of his death, Maseko was a senior member of Lawyers for Human Rights Swaziland, and chairperson of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum, a convergence of various stakeholders calling for constitutional reforms in Eswatini. As one of the founding members of SouthernDefenders, Maseko made an immense contribution to the advancement of justice and human rights not only in Eswatini, but throughout the Southern Africa region. He has carried out several fact-finding missions to countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi where he reported on the deterioration of civic space in the region.
“A staunch believer in the rule of law and constitutionalism, Maseko used his professional legal skills to advocate for democratic reforms and peaceful transition. It is deeply saddening that his work and selfless dedication has been repaid in such a ruthless and callous act.”, said Professor Adriano Nuvunga, Vice-Chairperson of SouthernDefenders.
In Eswatini, many will attest that Maseko persistently preached the message of peace and love. In the face of great adversity, Maseko remained steadfast in the fight for freedom and justice,
courageously raising awareness at the injustices suffered by the people of Eswatini. It is deeply saddening that he has paid the ultimate price with his life in this gruesome and callous manner.
While the government of Eswatini issued a statement condemning the murder of Maseko and its intention to investigate, Southern Defenders asserts that, given the political environment, only an independent investigation can ensure that those responsible for the assassination of Maseko and many others brutally injured and killed are brought to justice and their families rightfully compensated. We therefore call on SADC, the African Union, and the international community to hold the leadership of King Mswati III accountable for the violence that continues to be meted against the people of Eswatini, merely for advocating for their recognized fundamental human rights, including political participation.
SouthernDefenders is gravely concerned that the killing of Maseko signifies an increasingly dangerous deterioration of the political crisis in Eswatini. It is terrifying to observe the monarch clamp down on the people it is meant to serve and protect. Eswatini as a member of SADC and signatory to its Treaty is bound to uphold Article 4 of the Treaty which explicitly states that the principles guiding the acts of its members are human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Article 5 of the Treaty further requires all states to promote and defend peace and security. SouthernDefenders reminds Eswatini that as a member state of SADC, its government should comply with the principles and guidelines to which the region is bound. The state of affairs in Eswatini is a clear reflection of the failure of the country’s leadership to defend and maintain peace, security and transparency for its citizens. SADC cannot continue to stand by and watch.
As SouthernDefenders, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Thulani Maseko’s wife Tanele, their children, the Maseko family, and the human rights community in Eswatini. We reassert our support for and uncompromising solidarity with people of Eswatini in their continued quest for democracy. We call on the greater Africa and its friends to stand in solidarity with us on behalf of Maseko. His unshaken commitment for the achievement of justice and freedom will be our beacon for all time.
SouthernDefenders strongly urges the Eswatini government to:
1. Immediately allow for an internationally supported, thorough, independent and expeditious investigation into the circumstances of the killing of Thulani Maseko and others killed since 2021, to ensure justice and full accountability.
2. Respect, protect and promote the rights of all under the jurisdiction of Eswatini to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and political participation even if they hold opposing views.
3. Release all political prisoners and refrain from the excessive use of force to disperse protestors and refrain from the arbitrary arrest, detention, harassment or intimidation of pro-democracy activists and others expressing opposing views.
4. Immediately end the violent rhetoric against pro-democracy activists and human rights defenders.
5. Immediately allow for an inclusive and genuine political dialogue to usher in a democratic dispensation in Eswatini.
SouthernDefenders calls on SADC to:
1. Immediately set up a task force or oversight mechanism to ensure a swift, thorough and independent investigation into the arbitrary killing of Thulani Maseko and all other pro-democracy activists in Eswatini, that have taken place since 2021.
2. Hold King Mswati III and the government of Eswatini accountable for the ongoing gross violations of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, excessive use of force against protesters, abductions and extra-judicial killings of activists.
3. To evoke Article 4 and 5 of the Treaty which clearly stipulate the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights that guide the acts of member states, and the democratic and political institutions that are to achieve this, taking all necessary steps to ensure adherence by Eswatini.
4. Ensure the government of Eswatini respects, protects and fulfills its human rights obligations, in accordance with international and regional human rights law and standards as set out in the African Charter for Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
5. Robustly engage with King Mswati III and his government, opposition and civil society leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in and outside Eswatini to urgently broker an end to the ongoing political crisis and the ushering in of democratic reforms.
Background on the Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Eswatini:
Since June – July 2021, one of the world’s last remaining absolute monarch has been rocked by nationwide protests which began against police brutality, but have now metamorphosed into sustained demands of democratic reforms, and an end to the excessive opulence of the Monarch, in the face of being one of the region’s poorest economies. In response, King Mswati III’s government has retaliated with excessive force, arbitrary arrests, detention, and abductions of pro-democracy leaders and protestors, as well as the shutdown of the internet, and blanket bans on protests. More than 80 people have been killed, 200 plus injured, and thousands of others arrested and detained. Currently, two Members of Parliament have been arbitrarily detained for 18 months, facing criminal prosecution under the Suppression of Terrorism Act in relation to their involvement in the protests. SouthernDefenders has directly received reports of lawyers and judges
being harassed, threatened, and intimidated for their real or suspected support of the ongoing pro-democracy movement. Just last month, SouthernDefenders assisted one human rights lawyer who narrowly escaped death after gunshots were fired at his car. Fearing for his life, he was forced into exile, like many other citizens.
Despite efforts by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to resolve the crisis, King Mswati III has ignored the pleas of citizens, opposition politicians, civil society, the regional and international community, and instead escalated the government’s crackdown on dissenting voices. He has openly called for an “eye for an eye” and failed to genuinely engage in dialogue. Recently, the government was accused of hiring mercenaries to assist its security forces in suppressing opposition voices. Credible reports indicate that Mercenaries wearing baklavas, are working alongside State security forces, and manning roadblocks in the country. The existence of mercenaries in the country and the chilling remarks made by King Mswati III point to a state sponsored assassination of Maseko.
For further enquiries please contact
● Washington Katema, Director: wkatema@southerndefenders.africa (+27 73 620 2608)
● Meamande Wamukwamba, Programmes Manager: mwamukwamba@southerndefenders.africa (+27 630 072 402)
Endorsed by the following civil society organizations:
1. Ditshwanelo – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights
2. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
3. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
4. Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition
5. Front Line Defenders
6. Panos Institute Southern Africa
7. Center for Democracy and Development (CDD)
8. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
9. Centre for Human Rights
10. Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR)
11. Mozambique Human Rights Defenders Network (RMDDH)
12. University of Pretoria
13. Defenders Coalition
WILLY MUTUNGA: Honouring and glorifying Micere Mugo
In Matthew 13:53-6 we read about Jesus preaching in his hometown synagogue.
People knew him, his parents and his siblings. His people were amazed, but they began questioning where Jesus got his wisdom and miraculous powers.
In verse 57 we read: “And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his home town and in his own house is a prophet without honour.”
At the National Theatre on January 10, 2023 artists, human rights and social justice activists, and feminists, gathered to present Professor Micere Githae Mugo with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In an afternoon of radical and revolutionary music from the Field Marshal’s Band, we glorified and honoured our prophetess whose activism, radical writing, and socialist feminism are well known.
In our own city and our national theatre, Micere had our honour and glory.
In practice, we problematized and interrogated the words of Jesus by proving that we heeded his expectation that prophets and prophetesses should be honoured in their hometowns and houses.
This Human Rights Award, among other categories, are annually coordinated by the Defenders Coalition, a Human Rights NGO, that is assisted by the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya.
The Human Rights Defenders Awards Judging Panel of four women and four men has since 2016 gone through the nominees and picked the Awards’ winners.
Funded by European Missions in Kenya in support of upholding, respecting, and protecting human rights and social justice, the partnership is also an example of global solidarity.
This initiative has been inspired by the immortal words of Desmond Tutu:
“It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant.”
A great panel of activists, former students and former colleagues of Micere at the University of Nairobi where she taught discussed her writing, politics, and her legacy in our struggles.
Moderated by Professor Kimani wa Njogu this panel glorified Micere and her works, particularly to young activists who read her works but could now internalize her works and politics after seeing her person.
There was a short session in which three members of the Human Rights Defenders Awards Judging Panel explained to the audience why they picked Micere for the Award.
Fundamentally, it was Micere’s consistent and continuous human rights activism; her socialist feminism; her patriotism; and her revolutionary vision for Kenya.
After the presentation of the Award Micere gave an unforgettable keynote speech. She briefly talked about her battle with cancer which has lasted 15 years.
She was in pain as she talked but she did not stop.
At the age of 80 years, she was delighted to see the patriotism and revolutionary energy that was expressed in various ways in the Theatre.
A highlight of the afternoon was a video of Micere talking about who she is, her ideology and politics, and her vision for Kenya.
We all related this message to why our struggles for a new Kenya must continue.
One of Micere’s mentees and former students, Dr Mshai Mwongola, had the last word when she took us through some of Micere’s great poems in her book, My Mother’s Poem and Other Songs.
I quote from the last poem Mshai read to us while we all participated in the refrain, “To be a Feminist is” which is also the title of the poem.
For me
to be a feminist is
to denounce patriarchy
and the caging of women
it is
to wipe the fuzziness
of colonial hangovers
to uproot the weeds
of neo-colonial pestilence
For me
to be a feminist is
to hurl
through cannon
of my exploding
righteous fury
the cannibal
named capitalism
it is
to pronounce
a death sentence
on the ogre
named imperialism.
For me
to be a feminist is
to unhood racism
to decry Zionism
to detonate apartheid
to obliterate “tribalism”
it is
to necklace homophobia
to drown fanaticism
to strangulate classism
to fumigate ethnic cleansing.
“Necklace homophobia”?
Over a week after this celebration, we were shocked by the brutal murder of Edwin Chiloba, a queer in the LGBTIQ+ community in Kenya.
A national debate, mainly in social media has taken place. It continues.
Lawyers, political leaders, women and men of various Faiths, and many others have made their contributions known.
Indeed, the issue of gay rights has reached our courts and it is headed to the Supreme Court of Kenya.
I suspect the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue will be glorified and vilified in an equal measure.
Homophobia continues to be one of the foundational ingredients in our politics of division.
Our Constitution has a vision of building a democratic secular nation and society as a basis of our humanity. It is a vision whose struggle continues.
As the country peacefully, I hope, continues to debate this issue I hope we will also consider the words of our own great philosopher, theologian, and Reverend, the late Professor John Samuel Mbiti.
He writes:
“Africans are notoriously religious, and each people has its own religious system with a set of beliefs and practices.”
I hope we will also consider the words of Pope Francis on this issue:
“Who am I to judge.”
The words of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu are also important to reflect on.
He tells us that we do not own God; God has no partners; God is the Creator of all human beings; we should not second guess God; and that the God he worshipped was not homophobic.
Let me add that It is the same God we worship who has handed down a great commandment, Thou shalt not kill.
Micere teaches us to necklace homophobia. Let us also think through her words in the ongoing debate.
* Chief Justice & President of the Supreme Court, Kenya, 2011-2016
This article was first was published by The Star Newspaper – Kenya. All rights for reproduction remain with the entity.
EDWIN CHILOBA DID NOT DESERVE SUCH A BRUTAL DEATH
We, human rights defenders, civil society organizations and advocates for the absolute right to life, dignity, non-discrimination, condemn the gruesome senseless murder of high-flying fashion model and rights defender Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo, popularly known as Edwin Chiloba.
Edwin who hails from Uasin Gishu County was a human rights advocate who working on mainstreaming the dire situation of LGBTQ+ community.
From reports, Edwin’s body was discovered lifeless and in a metal trunk by the roadside in Kapseret area on 5 January 2023.
The murder has caused a public uproar, but this is not enough. We decry that the murder of Edwin is one too many lives lost considering a string of murders of members of the sexual minority community.
We are concerned that the documented cases of sexual minority victims of violent crimes are consistently bulging as dust and justice at the mention of the names of Sheila Lumumba, Erica Chandra, Joash Mosoti is yet to settle.
As we applaud action by relevant authorities to arrest persons of interest, we call for speedy investigations and arraignment of suspects. We are concerned that the hate crime and violations on human rights defenders rarely receive appropriate and timely intervention, which has nurtured a culture of impunity.
We once again reiterate that the right to life is sacrosanct and is protected by our constitution and international treaties. Perpetrators must be arrested and tried in a court of law to ensure justice is served.
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A CONSULTANCY FOR DEVELOPING AN OPERATIONAL PLAN 2023 FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEFENDERS COALITION STRATEGIC PLAN 2020-2025
Contract Duration: 10th -17th January 2023
Contract Period: 7 working days
Who we are
Defenders Coalition (The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders–Kenya) is a national organization incorporated in the Republic of Kenya as a Trust. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders (HRDs) to work effectively in the country and to reduce their vulnerability to the risk of persecution, through protection, capacity building, and advocacy for a favorable legal and policy environment. Established in 2007, NCHRD-K is the only national organization that works primarily for the protection of HRDs.
The Defenders Coalition’s strategic plan 2020 – 2025 outlines the vision, mission and strategies of realizing the same. The strategic plan is futuristic and encompasses alignment to global human rights instruments as it seeks to effectively reposition the Defenders Coalition in the rapidly changing environment especially in technology. The identity of the plan is to present HRDs with holistic approaches geared towards a safe and secure environment for all HRDs through an established rapid response mechanism, capacity building and knowledge management structures.
Purpose and elements of the Operational Plan
The Operational Plan is the specific plan which prescribes how the Defenders Coalition will use its resources towards the implementation of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. It guides the day to day activities of the secretariat and its work plan for the coming year in order to achieve the goals and result areas set in the Strategic Plan. The Operational Plan identifies the activities and events that will be conducted by the Secretariat as aspired in the Strategic Plan. In a nutshell, the Operational Plan identifies the following key elements with a view of guiding the implementation of the identified activities:
Expected output
The expected outputs of the consultancy are;
Scope and methodology of the Work
In preparing the Operational Plan, the Consultant is expected to undertake a close consultation of the Strategic Plan to identify activities and events for the year 2022.
The Consultant is required to submit a proposal which indicates the methodology on how the Plan will be developed and highlights the content of the Operational Plan. The proposal will be assessed in the manner Defenders Coalition deems suitable. After a consultation is held and the proposal is approved, the Consultant will then guide the secretariat on developing the Operational Plan. The Consultant then will submit the final Operational Plan document.
Reporting lines
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Executive Director and the Head of Programs/Operations. However, during the course of work the consultant will be expected to liaise and consult directly with Defenders Coalition’s financial budgets.
Time Frame
The total amount of time given for the preparation of the Operational Plan is a 4 day period.
Application
The following should be included in the application:
Application should be submitted to info@defenderscoalition.org and put in copy procurement@defenderscoalition.org no later than 10th December 2022 with the subject line CONSULTANCY FOR DEVELOPING THE OPERATIONAL PLAN 2023.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Disclaimer:
Defenders Coalition is an equal opportunity employer, committed to ensuring diversity, inclusivity and gender equality within our organization and work. Defenders Coalition, thus will recruit/award the consultancy to the most qualified person /company irrespective of race,color, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, gender, ethnicity. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AWARDS 2022 WINNERS ANNOUNCED
2 November 2022, Nairobi, Kenya
On behalf of the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders, Defenders Coalition and the Embassy of Sweden in Kenya congratulates the winners of the 2022 Human Rights Defenders Awards after a feting ceremony held on 2 December 2022 in Nairobi.
The winners in the various categories are individuals and groups that have exemplified unbelievable courage, commitment and selflessness in the defence of human rights and promotion of justice for the weak the society.
Through the Awards, we aim to motivate and showcase what ordinary citizens should do with their own communities to speak truth to power and advance constitutionalism.
The 2022 Human Rights Defenders Awards are unique in recognition that young kids can also contribute and set the pace for adults in doing what is right.
For instance, the case of Lia Gem – the winner of the Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year Award – is model for every citizen in terms of what they ought to do, no matter how young or old they are.
THE WINNERS
CATEGORY A: UPCOMING HRD OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER 1 – LISA GEM
Lisa is a 10-year-old, grade 4 pupil from M.M Shah Primary School in Kisumu and is a human rights defender who believes she was born to change the world through her words and actions. Her starting point was with children and the environment because that is where she found a home. She desires every child to enjoy life and a loving upbringing free from abuse and lack of necessities.
Through her advocacy actions, Lisa has conducted campaigns supporting pediatric cancer survivors, ecological justice, and the rights of health workers in Vihiga and Kisumu County. She also petitioned the Kisumu County Government to invest in pediatric cancer management at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Lisa also started Children’s rights clubs in 5 public schools in Kisumu. She spends her free time doing sanitation campaigns in Manyatta and Mamboleo settlements in Kisumu and teaching children photography as a communication tool.
Lisa enjoys playing scrabble, modelling, dancing, and storytelling in her free time.
WINNER 2 – BILLY HANI
Billy Hani is a queer artist and activist based in Kenya. They use writing and photography to explore African queerness, sexuality, gender identity and expression, bodies and mental health. Billy co-curates HeART Out Kenya, an art therapy initiative for feminists, LGBTIQ+ folks and activists. Billy’s feminism and activism are grounded on Queer Joy and Rest.
Billy started activism in 2018 through education on LGBTIQ+ issues on Social Media. They first volunteered as a Sexual Reproductive Health Rights advocate at Q-Initiative Eldoret, where they championed the rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities. Over the past five years, they have advocated for LGBTIQ+ rights online and physically in different local and national spaces aiming to improve understanding, acceptance and the upholding of LGBTIQ+ people’s rights in Kenya. They have written extensively on the issues that Sexual and Gender Minorities go through and continue to document similar stories through writing and photography. As an activist, Billy believes that education and accurate information are necessary to realize LGBTIQ+ human rights. Billy’s articles can be found in FemInStyle Magazine, Minority Africa, Adventures From the Bedrooms of African Women and The Continent, among others. Currently, they are working on using art to promote mental wellness, especially among activists and feminists, through HeART Out Kenya, which they co-founded in 2021.
WINNER 3 – GRACE KALEKYE
Grace Kalekye Mwangangi is an anti-human trafficking advocate and intern at Free the Slaves, a journalist and musician. In 2018 she was trafficked to India and forced into sex work, an experience that inspired her to become an anti-human trafficking advocate. Since 2019 when she returned to Kenya, Grace has been using TV, radio and online platforms to share her story and create awareness of human trafficking.
Being an anti-human trafficking advocate has opened opportunities for Grace, which have helped her grow as a leader and expounded her network to other human rights defenders. She hopes to one day have her platform where survivors will tell their stories and connect victims to their families. Grace also intends to work with government agencies, non-governmental organizations and religious leaders to advocate for strict anti-human trafficking policies and frameworks.
Human trafficking is a sensitive area due to its illegality and criminal nature. However, Grace loves her work and is willing to continue the cause to help others who may find themselves in such situations.
CATEGORY B: HRD OF THE YEAR AWARD
WINNER: JOHN ALLAN NAMU
John-Allan is a Kenyan investigative journalist and the co-founder of Africa Uncensored. He has been a journalist for 17 years and has spent considerable time focusing on numerous social justice issues. Notable among these is his journalistic work about excessive use of force, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances perpetrated by Kenya’s security agencies. His most recent work on the subject is titled “Justice be our shield”, a documentary profiling the planning and execution of a murder plot against human rights lawyer and investigator Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and their driver Joseph Muiruri.
Africa Uncensored, the organization he co-founded in 2015, is earning a reputation for honest, incisive, and hard-hitting journalism, both locally and on the African continent. The organization’s goal to investigate, expose and empower is founded on the belief in the power of investigative and in-depth journalism as a force for good. John-Allan hopes that his work as a journalist will inspire coming generations of journalists to hold power to account, doing so professionally and with passion for Africa.
John-Allan is the 2015 and 2017 joint journalist of the year Annual Journalism Excellence Awards, a 2019 Global Shining light award winner, a 2019 Trace International Prize on investigative journalism winner, and the 2009 CNN African Journalist of the Year. He is a 2009 CNN fellow and a 2017 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow. He holds a BA in Journalism from the United States International University – Africa and is pursuing an Executive master’s degree in media leadership and innovation. He is married and lives in Nairobi with his wife and four children.
CATEGORY C: LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
WINNER: MICERE MUGO
Micere Githae Mugo is a renown playwright, author, activist, instructor and poet recognized internationally for her literary works, essays and writings which she has used as a platform to advocate for social justice and human rights in Africa especially Kenya.
Mugo was a political activist who fought against human rights abuses in Kenya. Her political activism led to her being harassed by the police and arrested. Mugo and her family were forced to depart Kenya in 1982 after the attempted coup after which she became a target of government harassment and her citizenship stripped off.
Mugo went to Zimbabwe for a time, where she found a teaching post, and continued to write. Her second work of literary criticism, African Orature and Human Rights, appeared in 1991. The work is a discussion of the storytelling culture of the Ndia people in Kenya’s Kirinyaga District and that culture is in relation to politics. In such a society, Mugo’s thesis maintained, the orature artist is a defender of human rights in the community. Her work has been cited as verbal arts that expresses both the society’s negative and positive qualities, its strengths and challenges, its justice and injustices, its realities, and ideals.
Micere has continued to use her literature work to speak out and stir conversation at any time when she could not stand the myopic political elite as they oppressed the common citizen and continue to violate basic human rights.
CATEGORY D: GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AWARD
WINNER – ANGELA YVONNE DAVIS
Angela Davis is a prominent writer, feminist, political activist, and educator. She is most well known for her involvement in the civil rights and Black liberation movements, as well as for being a leading advocate for prison abolition. Ms. Davis rose to prominence in 1969 when her campaign to defend three black soldiers in Soledad Prison and her affiliation with the Communist Party led to her being fired from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her own experience with arrest and imprisonment, in the early 1970s, she went on to found Critical Resistance, a national grassroots organization aimed to dismantle the prison-industrial complex. Along with prison reform, Ms. Davis has advocated for social issues related to gender, race and class and has authored many books and articles on these subjects.
In 1997, Davis came out as a lesbian and has since continued to tackle oppression faced by the black community, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Her scholarly contribution has been a great influence on grassroots human rights movements organizing and the support and solidarity to the human rights struggles have been immense contributed to the growth and rising of global south feminist movements and minority right groups.
*ENDS*
___________________________________
Advocating for the respect of Human Rights is high risk. Groups and individuals who walk this road are often the targets for reprisals by authorities and private groups who make use of various forms of repression to silence them. The “Declaration of the Rights and Responsibility of individuals, groups and organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms” was adopted in December 1998 and defines these advocates as human rights defenders.
The Defenders Coalition and the Working group on Human Rights Defenders (WGHRD) have played a pioneering role in the protection and recognition of human rights defenders.The WGHRD launched the inaugural Human Rights Defenders(HRD) awards in 2016 to:
The awards are presented in three categories and one recognition category:
The winners in each Awards category will receive:
The Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya develops a call for nominations, which is then widely circulated by the Defenders Coalition and other partners. This call outlines the criteria for eligibility for nomination. Individual HRDs can be nominated in the four categories.
A shortlisting panel composed of missions and CSO organizations involved in the planning of the HRD Awards then shortlists five individuals per category within the set-out guidelines for shortlisting candidates.
The panel conducts verification of the nominees regarding their human rights work through field visits, and interviews with the nominators, the nominees and their references.
The Independent Selection Panel, which comprises of eminent individuals in the human rights sector, makes a final decision, from the names submitted, on the recipient of the three awards and the runner up.
The celebration is held annually towards the end of the year. (November of December). The event is hosted by the Ambassador of the mission that co-chairs the Working Group on HRDs. The participants of the event are all the nominees, the family, missions, government officials and the media to commemorate their achievements.
The following will be taken into consideration:
ENDS
MEET NOMINEE 7 OF 7 IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR AWARD CATEGORY – NOOR BASHIR
Noor Bashir Shuria is a 30 years old human rights defender. He started his human rights works due to the terror incidents in Ijara and Hulugho Sub counties. The towns had faced violent retaliation and collective punishment from security forces and the Al-Shabaab militia. Arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial executions were on the rise, as well as enforced disappearances. Seeing the pain of the mothers and families of the victims forced Noor to act, and his journey of monitoring human rights violations began.
Noor graduated from Garissa University with a degree in Community Development. He is a practising paralegal, having worked with UNDP, and focuses on access to justice for victims of various injustices, including extra-judicial killings within Garissa County.
Noor believes that enforced disappearances represent serious violations of human rights that need to be addressed by all human rights actors.
MEET NOMINEE 6 OF 7 IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR AWARD CATEGORY – JOHN ALLAN NAMU
John-Allan is a Kenyan investigative journalist and the co-founder of Africa Uncensored. He has been a journalist for 17 years and has spent considerable time focusing on numerous social justice issues. Notable among these is his journalistic work about excessive use of force, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances perpetrated by Kenya’s security agencies. His most recent work on the subject is titled “Justice be our shield”, a documentary profiling the planning and execution of a murder plot against human rights lawyer and investigator Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and their driver Joseph Muiruri.
Africa Uncensored, the organization he co-founded in 2015, is earning a reputation for honest, incisive, and hard-hitting journalism, both locally and on the African continent. The organization’s goal to investigate, expose and empower is founded on the belief in the power of investigative and in-depth journalism as a force for good. John-Allan hopes that his work as a journalist will inspire coming generations of journalists to hold power to account, doing so professionally and with passion for Africa.
John-Allan is the 2015 and 2017 joint journalist of the year Annual Journalism Excellence Awards, a 2019 Global Shining light award winner, a 2019 Trace International Prize on investigative journalism winner, and the 2009 CNN African Journalist of the Year. He is a 2009 CNN fellow and a 2017 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow. He holds a BA in Journalism from the United States International University – Africa and is pursuing an Executive master’s degree in media leadership and innovation. He is married and lives in Nairobi with his wife and four children.
MEET NOMINEE 3 OF 7 IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR AWARD CATEGORY – FATUMA YUSSUF ABDULLAHI
Fatuma Yussuf Abdullahi is a Person With Disability (PWD), Woman Human Rights Defender and a business owner in Wajir County. She is the current Chairperson of Wajir County Civil Society Consortium, an umbrella of 21 CBOs. She has worked with Save Children as a community Mobilizer and is a Former Nominated MCA Representing PWDs.
As a person living with a disability, she has taken it upon herself to advocate for the rights of other persons living with disability, taking on various initiatives to advocate for their rights as a minority group.
Fatuma is also a paralegal trained by Aldef Kenya and served as a gender office in their county paralegal office from 2009 to 2010. She has served as a paralegal for fourteen years, twelve being on a voluntary basis.
Fatuma is passionate and believes in justice for all. Her work goes beyond women and persons with disability, and she has been vocal about protecting sexual minorities.
