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To champion the safety, security and wellbeing of Human Rights Defenders.
CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED CASE AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR DEFENDERS COALITION
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TERMS OF REFERENCE
DEVELOPMENT OF CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR DEFENDERS COALITION
The Defenders Coalition (NCHRD-K) is a national organization incorporated in the Republic of Kenya as a Trust. Its mission is to champion the safety, security and wellbeing of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). Established in 2007, Defenders Coalition is the only national organisation that works primarily for the protection of HRDs.
Defenders coalition is guided by the Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025, which outlines the vision, ambition and strategies of realizing the same. The Plan, which is also aligned to global human rights instruments seeks to effectively position the Defenders Coalition, as leader in the rapidly changing environment especially in technology. The Defenders Coalition takes a holistic approach in its work geared towards a safe and secure environment for HRDs through an established rapid response mechanism, capacity building and knowledge management structures. Addressing concerns of HRDs is the core business of the coalition and thus works towards increasing their capacity in safety and security as well as their knowledge in the policy and legal environment within the human rights context as well as inclusion of technology in the work of HRDs as well as at the secretariat.
Defenders Coalition currently has a manual case management system which is used to record incidents of violation against HRDs.
The overall objective of this is to create and develop a web-based system which captures the processes of intake, processing, support and exit of the client support as well as a platform for archiving the Defenders Coalition membership database.
The design and development of the case management system will be conducted by an external consultant who will lead the project team and will work under the supervision and support of the Defenders Coalition Executive Director. The consultant is expected to develop a technical detailed methodology and for framework design of the case management system, taking into consideration the local context. The consultant will develop, build and design and maintain case management and handle all the source code and data used. The sample design and proposed development tools will be discussed and approved by the Defenders Coalition team before the commencement of the development of the system.
This assignment will be completed within two months and it’s expected to start in June 10th, 2022. A breakdown of how these days shall be utilised shall be reflected in the schedule of work to be presented to the Defenders Coalition by the consultant.
The consultant(s) should have the following qualifications/expertise:
The consultant shall present to the Defenders Coalition both financial and technical proposal for the project. The technical proposal must cover all important aspects of the solution and the financial proposal should cover professional and support cost.
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 info@defenderscoalition.org copied ict@defenderscoalition.org, by Thursday, May 12th 2022. Quote “DC Case Management System” in the subject line of your email.
Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, May 27th, 2022 and given further guidelines on the assignment.
Defenders Coalition recently held two convenings towards the strengthening of #DigitaSecurityTrainers and #HRDs on how to offer digital; security support to #HRD Networks and human rights organizations during the elections period and beyond.
The meetings also contributed towards creating a network of security practitioners to fill the ever-expanding gap of digital safety capacity. The digital security trainers also shared amongst themselves, and for use,new tools, tactics, and knowledge.
Here is the position of the digital security trainers in the form of a communique find it here
Elsewhere Mombasa, our team of digital security management supported our partners @muslims for human rights to conduct security management training for grassroot #HRDs from the region.
Defenders Coalition continues to offer the above services so as to strengthen the capacities of #HRDs and #HumanRights organizations to conduct their work of promoting human rights safely by developing tailored elaborate security management plans for individuals and organizations.
STATEMENT OVER THE VIOLENT UNLAWFUL ARRESTS OF JULIUS KAMAU, MINOO KYA, CLINTON OJIAMBO NAHASHON MACHARIA AND ANTHONY KANYIRI: FREEDOM TO DEMONSTRATE, PICKET, AND PRESENT PETITIONS.
#FREETOPROTEST
11 Apri 2022
We, the undersigned organizations, are concerned that State Organs continue criminalizing Kenyans who exercise their right to protest (peacefully and unarmed), subjecting them to harassment, use of force, intimidation, and preferring unlawful charges against them. We are deeply concerned over the circumstances and manner of the arrest of Julius Kamau, Minoo Kya, Clinton Ojiambo, Nahashon Macharia, and Anthony Kanyiri, which only confirms the continued trend of suppression of the right to protest by the State, mainly where the protestors criticize the government and/or public officials. We also note the increase in threats to these fundamental rights and freedoms in the run-up to elections and the continued propagation of such repression through the National Police Service.
On 7th April 2022, Julius Kamau, a Kenyan activist, was violently manhandled by three plain-clothes police officers, thrown into a police lorry before being transferred into a police van, and subsequently held at the Central Police Station in Nairobi for allegedly creating a disturbance. Julius was protesting over the continued increase in the cost of living and calling for the lowering of food prices in the country ahead of the budget reading by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary on 7th April 2022.
The protest had begun online under the #NjaaRevolution, where rights holders were protesting against the increased cost of living and calling for lowering of food prices, among other issues. Two days after Julius was arrested, on 9th April 2022, four other protestors, Minoo Kya, Clinton Ojiambo, Nahashon Macharia, and Anthony Kanyiri, were arrested and detained at Mwiki police station in Nairobi County while participating in further protests under the #NjaaRevolution.
The right to protest is guaranteed under Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution. 12 years after the promulgation of a very progressive Bill of Rights within the Kenyan Constitution, it is disappointing that rights are still treated as privileges. The right is also guaranteed under regional and international human rights instruments ratified by Kenya, including, Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Banjul Charter) and Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Further, spontaneous protests are not illegal, as stipulated by the African Commission Guidelines on the Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa. The Guidelines operationalize the implementation of Articles 11 of the Banjul Charter by State parties and all relevant stakeholders.
For the avoidance of doubt, one does not require the permission of the police to protest. Under the Public Order Act and other International Human Rights instruments, the rationale for notification is for the police to provide security for the protestors and must not be misconstrued as an obligation on those who wish to protest to seek ‘permission’ from the police. In itself, a lack of notification is not sufficient reason to characterize a protest as unlawful. We strongly condemn the inhuman actions of the police officers, whose conduct not only contravenes numerous constitutional and legal provisions but is a clear demonstration of the repressive nature of Kenya’s National Police Service.
We, therefore, call on the National Police Service and the concerned State Organs:
Signed by:
Article 19, Eastern Africa
Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF)
Crime Si Poa
Defenders Coalition
Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI)
Red Vests Movement
Tribeless Youth
Defenders Coalition convened SOGIE HRDs in Uasin Gishu and Transzoia Counties between 22- 23rd February 2022, where we created a platform for the HRDs and partners to exchange ideas and forge alliances for the advancement of their working environment. The meeting also saw Defenders Coalition conduct security sensitization as well as scenario mapping for the safety of SOGIE HRDs during the elections period. We are happy that the members present developed an election preparedness response and mitigation plan as well as identified other joint actions for collaboration.
In Kisumu, Defenders Coalition convened Lesbians, Bisexuals and Queer (LBQ) HRDs under the Western Kenya LBQ Collective to map out strategic partners for engagement for the safety and protection of the HRDs as well as identify intersectional collaborations. We also sensitized the HRDs on their safety both Digital and Physical. The outcome of the activity was an election preparedness, response and mitigation plan.
Defenders Coalition is happy that the work with SOGIE activists has been crucial in ensuring that they are well prepared in the election period and that strategic interventions, collaborations and plans are laid down in the event of the occurrence and/or upsurge in violations against SOGIE persons and HRDs. Furthermore, the support continues to enhance the security and protection of SOGIE HRDs.
Defenders Coalition hosted the annual HRD Academy, a week-long assembly of young and upcoming HRDs from across the 47 counties in Kenya to hone their skills on security management, monitoring documentation and reporting as well as debriefing. Moreover., the HRDs are exposed to networking and exchange on their working environments as HRDs.
The academy took place between 22 – 26 November 2022 where 111 Human Rights Defenders underwent a comprehensive learning and exchange experience.
Defenders Coalition was able to realize the following through annual assembly of HRDs:
During the same period, the Defenders Coalition hosted the Annual Women’s Forum through the Ni Mama Project. After successful implementation of two years (Dec 2019 – Dec 2021), the Project has realized the following:
The Ni Mama Project, in partnership with the Embassy of Norway in Kenya, has commenced the second phase of its implementation and will focus on strengthening the existing networks further, strengthening and networking WHRDs from Mandera, Busia, Turkana, Migori, Kwale and Kajiado Counties for the years January 2022 – December 2023.
WHRD campaign opening message from Executive Director #NimamaVijijini #WHRDStories
Defenders Coalition, which is the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya is proud to announce the launch of its campaign #NiMamaVijijini #WHRDStories
The campaign will be deliberate in recognizing the contribution of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya as well in various communities across the globe.
Defenders Coalition is happy that increasingly, the role of WHRDs in challenging violence against women and girls, advancing sexual and reporoductive health rights, environmental and climate justice and seeking economic justice for themselves and their communities is gaining momentum. It is a true testimony that their sacrifices have been self-telling but their stories of triumph and heroic acts remain untold.
Through this campaign in the months of March and April, we shall publicly acknowledge the fact that the term “woman human rights defender’ cannot be limited to just women but also those human rights defenders who engage in promotion and protection of women’s rights and gender equality as well as all women working on any issue related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, individually and in association with others in any region of the world.
While on this subject matter, our focus will be on the unique roles, risks, and vulnerabilities of WHRDs, including gender non-conforming individuals, active in the defence of human rights and who may become a target for attack or violation because of who they are—because they are women as well as for what they do—their work of defending human rights.
Throughout the campaign period, Defenders Coalition shall bring to light that in addition to gender, there are many economic, social, cultural and geographical factors that affect how WHRDs experience a violation and how best we can respond to their needs for safety, wellbeing and protection. We shall be creating a platform for bold conversations on how class, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, geographical location and ethnicity influence the nature of violations towards WHRDs because they are exposed to different forms of attacks including physical and online violence because of who they are and what they do.
We shall take the opportunity to underscore the convergence of the different types of violence that affect women and the difficulties in distinguishing between these different types of violence. We shall be sharing information on the lived experiences of the risks, threats and challenges that WHRDs have faced. We shall not stop there. We shall share stories of true power that lies within their grassroot organizing to overcome the risks, threats and challenges and for better communities.
We call on you to join us to positively influence the perceptions of WHRDs by members of the public by publicly recognizing their substantive contribution to human rights movements. More importantly, we urge you to support us in creating awareness on how best WHRDs can become self aware of their work and their identity as human rights defenders. This will build confidence among them so that they can take advantage of the existing capacity building, networking and protection mechanisms at their disposal.
We are honored by your continued support, partnership and the will to share your positive messages of Power.
Continue following us on your communication platforms including social media and our website to continue sharing the power stories as will be released during the period.
In Solidarity,
Kamau Ngugi
Executive Director – Defenders Coalition
On 3rd February 2022, a concerned parent called a teacher at St. Aquinas High School to ask about the well-being of her son and send pocket money through the teacher’s phone. The parent was informed that her son had been sent away from school due to school fees balance. This baffled the parent as she had fully paid school fees for her son. She wondered why the school did not communicate to inform her that her son had been released from school and the reason for doing so. When her son arrived at home, he was pale, sickly, and weak and looked extremely stressed. On enquiring whether he was okay, the son became teary and begged the parent that he be transferred to another school. He refused to eat stating that he did not have an appetite. On further inquiry, the son amidst tears wrote on a foolscap how he was defiled at the school. On calling the principal St Aquinas High School, the principal denied the happening of such acts in the school but would not explain why he had sent the son home.
Shortly after, the principal sent messages to parents indicating that this information was untrue and a rumour. No investigation or action has since been taken within the school to investigate the issue and take action against the culprit who defiled another student. More students from St. Aquinas have confided in their parents that defilement has occurred more than once within the school premises. We are concerned that minors are being subjected to such kind of humiliation, shame and pain that may affect them for the rest of their lives. It is utterly inconceivable that such a culture of tolerance of sexual abuse has been perpetuated by the principal of the school, a person who stands in a position of loca parentis with the children
Further, on 8th February 2022 the country witnessed in shock and disbelief as the police arrested parents demonstrating against the grave happenings at St. Aquinas High School. This is after the parents had followed all due processes under the law pertaining to holding demonstrations and served a notice on the OCS, Central Police Station.
Under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, every person has the right to peaceful assembly, demonstration, and picketing. In the words of the late Justice Onguto, ‘Demonstrations and picketing…provide an avenue for those who have strong feelings about particular issues to express those feelings.’ The exercise of this right should therefore not be unjustifiably limited or treated as a criminal act. In Kenyan law and international standards, the role of the police is to in fact protect protestors in the exercise of this fundamental right.
The parents and other protestors were peaceful and unarmed. They had duly notified the police in accordance with the applicable law, the Public Order Act. We therefore reiterate that the arrest was unwarranted, unlawful and a gross violation of fundamental human rights and freedom.
We hereby demand the following:
Signed by the following Civil Society Organisations:
To: Clerk of the National Assembly
P.O. Box 41842-00100
Nairobi
From: Coalition of Civil Society Organizations
Date: January 7, 2022
RE: The Huduma Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 57 of 2021)
Dear Michael R. Sialai, Clerk of the National Assembly, & the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security: We submit this memo on The Huduma Bill as a coalition of Kenyan civil society organizations with expertise in issues of identification, civil registration, nationality rights, data protection and privacy, minority rights, children’s rights, human rights, and other related issues.
The Huduma Bill is proposing the largest set of changes to the legal framework governing Kenya’s identification system since before independence. If enacted, the Huduma Bill would become the single law anchoring birth and death registration, issuance of identification cards, issuance of passports, and governance of the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS, also referred to as Huduma Namba). As such, the draft legislation, system design, and all other decision points around NIIMS must be considered very carefully, comprehensively, and transparently.
In addition to the detailed analysis and recommendations that follow, we would like to call the Committee’s attention to several fundamental issues that must be addressed before determining whether or not to move forward with the Huduma Namba system.
● Public Participation: Given the extensive nature of NIIMS and that it will impact many areas of lives of all Kenyans, this bill and all related legislation and/or regulations require robust public participation across the country through which the government can receive and consider the views and suggestions of Kenyans and other residents of the country and incorporate them into the final version(s). At all steps in the legislative process, the government should provide full information by advertising opportunities to provide input into the Huduma Bill not only on print media and gazette notices, but also through social media, TV stations and radio to give room for more Kenyans to interact with the Bill and share their view. In-person public participation opportunities should be organized by the government in every county – in accessible locations, in vernacular languages, with sufficient notice, and with information (such as the latest copy of the bill) provided in advance to enable Kenyans to provide informed views. Following all public participation opportunities, including the current collection of memoranda, feedback should be provided to the public on what recommendations were received and how input has been taken into account in amending the bill or plans for NIIMS. The government must invest in building user trust and confidence on digital ID, including through meaningful and robust engagement on the anchoring legislation, the system design, and with the governing body for NIIMS.
● Risks of Exclusion: The Government must ensure all Kenyans can access identification documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards prior to moving forward with Huduma Namba. The draft bill does not sufficiently address concerns of exclusion that have been repeatedly raised over the past three years. It is critical to avoid importing issues prevalent in the current system of accessing birth registration, ID cards, and passports into the system proposed in this Bill. Those at risk of exclusion from NIIMS enrolment include Kenyans without identification documents, people with biometric challenges (such as unreadable fingerprints), persons with disabilities, street families and street children, and stateless persons. The High Court, in January 2020, also imposed a requirement on the government to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses how Kenyans without identity documents and people with biometric challenges can enroll in NIIMS – issues yet to be addressed in this bill or any existing regulations. Beyond risks of exclusion at the point of enrolment, there are no safeguards in the current draft bill to ensure against denial of services either for persons not enrolled in NIIMS or for those who are enrolled but who face challenges in the authentication or verification process at the point of accessing services or conducting transactions. Without significant changes, this bill will lead to the exclusion of millions of Kenyans and other residents in the country.
● Need for a Transition Period: The law must provide for a multi-year transitional period between the current Registration of Persons Act and the Huduma Act. The transition period must also address initial enrollment into NIIMS, in particular for those without registration documents and for those in the process of obtaining an ID card under existing laws. A transition period in which the focus is expanding coverage of birth registration and ID card issuance, prior to NIIMS enrollment, will help address challenges of those likely to be excluded from the system. A transition period would also allow for taking the public through proper civic education and comprehensive training of all government officials in registration and related agencies that would use NIIMS.
● Right to Privacy and Data Protection: The Government must ensure Kenya has a financially independent and well-resourced data protection authority, capable of discharging its mandate under the Data Protection Act. The government ought to ensure the swift adoption of the draft Data Protection Regulations (2021). Shall an individual misuse the biometric or personal data of a registered person, it can result into discrimination, profiling, surveillance of the data subjects and identity theft. The government must also ensure protection of whistleblowers who expose data misuse incidents.
● Policy Framework: Civil registration and identification are critical functions in a country as they provide individuals with a unique legal identity throughout their lives. Transitioning to a digital identity system such as Huduma Namba in a country where there exists a fragmented civil registration system is a complicated matter. The success of the Huduma Namba programme will be hinged on addressing the gaps and bottlenecks that have plagued Kenya’s civil registration and identification systems. There is a need for a holistic approach that is informed by evidence-based research, a comprehensive national policy on civil registration and identification, a robust strategy and an implementation plan with a clear road-map for the implementation of the Huduma Namba (NIIMS). The Bill, as currently drafted, is not informed by any of these foundational elements, which could portend challenges for the process of transition from paper-based systems, the current national identification card, and the various forms of identification under the numerous registration systems and government service providers.
● Governance and Institutional Framework for NIIMS: The NIIMS Committee proposed in section 65 is an oversight body and not sufficient to give effect to various rights that individuals have in the Constitution and in this draft bill (i.e., appeal a decision of a NIIMS Officer, update particulars, etc.). There is a need to establish an agency or commission as a competent, robust, and independent institution responsible for the planning, management, administration and implementation of NIIMS and the Bill. Such an agency would be in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16.6 to develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions. Please find attached a more detailed analysis and recommendations of selected sections – improvements to which would vastly strengthen the Huduma Bill and the NIIMS / Huduma Namba system, should it move forward.
We would be glad to provide further input and perspectives on the bill and how best to establish an effective, inclusive, and privacy-respecting identification system in Kenya.
Sincerely,
1. Heralding Development Organization
2. Undugu Society of Kenya (USK)
3. The Nubian Rights Forum
4. ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa
5. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)
6. Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)
7. Protection International Africa
8. Namati Kenya
9. Lawyers Hub Foundation
10. Defenders Coalition
11. Haki na Sheria Initiative
12. Haki Centre
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, on behalf of our various organizations and the people of Kenya;
DRAW the attention of the House to the following: –
THEREFORE, your humble petitioners pray that the National Assembly, through the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security:-
And your PETITIONERS will ever pray.
PRESENTED BY,
DATE: 19/02/2022
19 January 2020
Nairobi, Kenya
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, would like to express our deep concern at the recurrence of incidents of Hate Speech by a section of political leaders in political gatherings in the buildup to the 2022 general elections. We are alarmed at the continued and reckless utterances of a section of political class that may kindle political and social tensions, potentially sparking anarchy and social instability.
In the run-up to previous general elections, Kenyans witnessed numerous incidents of Hate Speech that have fueled violence and unhealthy competition during elections. The existence of robust legal and policy provisions that criminalize Hate Speech and the establishment of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has not deterred the political class from uttering statements that could incite the citizenry.
With less than seven months to Kenya’s General Elections, the political class continues to utter reckless statements that result in violent incidences. In two days, The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch a probe on Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot over incitement claims. These actions come days after the arrest and arraignment of Meru Senator Mithika Linturi on charges of hate speech and incitement. The utterances made in political rallies can incite contempt, hatred, hostility, violence, and discrimination.
Kenya’s 2007, 2013, and 2017 elections were marred by post-election violence, evidencing the dangerous impact of politically instigated utterances. It is incumbent that the relevant Government agencies crack the whip on politicians that would undoubtedly amount to Hate Speech.
In this regard, we further condemn the continuous incitements and barrage of hate speech in social gatherings, social media, and political rallies by politicians in the strongest terms possible. We remind the political class inciting Kenyans of their solemn vow to uphold and defend the Constitution’s duty to protect the Nation’s interests and its citizens. Page 2 of 2
We, therefore, call on the following from relevant actors to do the following:
1. The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to maintain law, order, and security and preserve the authority of the state;
2. The NCIC to take stern action against perpetrators of Hate Speech discrimination as well as advocate for cohesiveness while promoting unity and equity in line with its mandate;
3. The Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to promote integrity, efficiency, and accountability within the department of justice;
4. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to move with speed to prosecute all incitement and hate speech cases from NCIC;
5. The Churches, Mosques, and other religious institutions to work together to call out instances of hate speech within places of worship and further take the bold step of denying audience to persons who would use the opportunity to spread hate and division;
6. The Media to take a stand against covering and reporting matters that would cause incitement;
7. The IEBC to take note and not clear those found guilty of incitement from vying for political office;
8. The NCIC to monitor the political rallies and utterances made and document and report these matters;
9. The Judiciary to prioritise the cases once presented in court; and
10. Kenyans to report all cases of hate speech to the relevant authorities.
In conclusion, we wish to remind all Kenyans that we must maintain peace and condemn any person desiring to divide Kenyans as we march towards the upcoming elections. We call upon the political class to engage respectfully and soberly, appreciating that sensational statements may have dire consequences. We will not relent in protecting our interests as a nation and use elections as a mechanism to express democracy and call for a peaceful election.
Thank you.
Signed by the following Civil Society Organizations:
1. The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya)
2. Kenya Human Rights Commission
3. The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (Defenders Coalition)
4. Social Justice Centers Working Group
5. Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO)
6. Protection International – Africa
7. Women Human Rights Defenders Hub
8. Article 19