The story of Everlyn Prech-The HRD Academy Changed My Experience for the Better
When Everlyn Prech speaks about her work, her voice carries a mix of gentleness and resolve, the sound of someone who has seen pain up close but refuses to let it define her. As the eldest of eight daughters in West Pokot, Everlyn grew up witnessing the harm caused by female genital mutilation and early […]
Mohamed Omar Story – ‘As for me, I am still here. I am not going anywhere’
The calm in Mohamed Hassan Omar’s voice hides the storms he has survived. “As for me, I am still here. I am not going anywhere,” he said, his words carrying the quiet defiance of someone who has faced danger and refused to back down. Mohamed describes Marsabit as a place where being a human rights […]
Hunielle Nelly Story -Finding Strength in Visibility
“I am proud to be intersex.” Those were the first words Hunielle Nelly Chivatsi said as they began to share their story, a statement that carried both power and peace, shaped by years of silence and survival. Hunielle is now the Executive Coordinator at Intersex Rights Initiative Coast Kenya, Co-Chair of Intersex Consortium Kenya, […]
Janet Nandwa Story-I am a Woman Warrior
HRD Academy Beneficiary 2019 Baringo County-Kenya Janet Nandwa Ongoli describes herself as a woman warrior, and it is easy to see why. Her voice carries both calm conviction and quiet fire, the kind that comes from years of standing firm in the face of resistance. “I was raised in Baringo County,” she began, “and that […]
Tom Onzere Story-Justice Begins Where We Stand
Tom Onzere has spent years doing what few are willing to, standing between ordinary citizens and systems that often fail them. Calm, thoughtful, and deeply grounded, Tom’s voice carries the quiet authority of someone who has fought many small, unseen battles and still believes in the power of justice. For years, Tom has worked […]
Paul Mnangat’s story – From a Father’s Legacy to a Movement
“The HRD Academy turned a solitary struggle into a shared journey, and that is a gift I will always carry forward.” When we sat down with Paul Mnang’at, a passionate advocate from West Pokot, he shared with Defenders Coalition a story rooted in legacy and community. “I grew up watching advocacy unfold,” Paul began. “My late father would gather […]
Kenya – Cybercrime law must protect free speech
Cybercrime law must protect free speech By Kamau Ngugi The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, has been utilised to limit the freedom of expression of HRDs and voices critical of violations and abuses. Various sections of this Act including sections 16 and 23 have been the to go offences, aimed at harassing, threatening and […]
SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN KENYA – STATEMENT AT THE 85TH SESSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (ACHPR)
85th ORDINARY SESSION THE AFRICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS, BANJUL, THE GAMBIA STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL COALITION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS – KENYA (DEFENDERS COALITION), TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN COMMISSION OF HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (ACHPR) Observer Status Number: OBS 500 Thank you, Chairperson, Honourable Chairperson, Commissioners and Distinguished Delegates. Chairperson, […]
Mashujaa Festival 2025
The 6th Annual Mashujaa Festival is here! This is a one-day music, dance, and poetry extravaganza is dedicated to celebrating our Mashujaas ,heroes who have tirelessly worked for all Kenyans to enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms, through music, art, and poetry. Date: 20th October,2025 Venue: Ufungamano House
STATEMENT ON THE CONTINUED DISAPPEARANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS BOB NJAGI AND NICHOLAS OYOO.
6th October 2026, Nairobi,Kenya. The Defenders Coalition is alarmed by the continued disappearance of human rights defenders (HRDs) Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who reportedly disappeared on 1 October, 2025 in Kampala, Uganda. Eyewitnesses’ privy to the incident have publicly narrated an account of the two HRDs where they have claimed that the two were […]