Full report here WHRD Mental Wellbeing

This study aimed at carrying out a needs assessment of the status of WELLBEING, MENTAL HEALTH and SELF CARE practices from a sample of 200 Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in Kenya to inform future interventions that are meant to prevent or mitigate mental health issues which arise as a result of their ‘work’.

WHRDs play a big role in fighting a myriad of human rights injustices and in so doing they expose themselves to the risks of developing mental health problems due to the traumatic situations they constantly face while challenging the status quo. Despite being at the forefront in defending the human rights of others, WHRDs tend to receive little or no support from formal support systems; instead, they seek support from their colleagues, as they are more often than not unattached to formal organizations. Others engage in dangerous behaviours such as alcoholism to relieve stress and relax from ‘work’.

During Focus Group Discussions, it was also revealed that some participants’ families were fearful for their physical safety, especially after the death of an activist Caroline Mwatha in 2019. This research was conducted using desk review and qualitative data analysis. Library and online sources proved crucial to this study when conducting literature review on the gaps that exist in providing support for the wellbeing, mental health and self-care of WHRDs in Kenya.

During the conduct of the qualitative research, the author collected, analyzed and interpreted the non-numerical data in a bid to understand how individual WHRDs subjectively perceive their work and the associated challenges, and how it gives meaning to their social reality1 . In the field, the researcher collected perspectives from WHRDs in several counties regarding the kind of support, services or skills that they would need to continue to address injustice, while at the same time securing their self-care and wellbeing, in order to remain mentally and physically healthy to do their advocacy. The findings from this study show that as they work to defend the rights of others, WHRDs in Kenya experience a variety of challenges such as insecurity threats, violence including (S)GBV and detention of self or family members from the government or the private sector.

Most of the respondents indicated that they or other WHRDs they are familiar with had experienced at least 80% of the mental health conditions that the researcher had listed in the study questionnaire. The challenges that WHRDs encounter at ‘work’ coupled with the strenuous and potentially trauma-inducing work puts them at risk of developing mental health problems. WHRDs in Kenya lack enough support for their mental wellbeing and selfcare from the formal support systems (most do not have a steady income), from both government and NGOs which further complicates their activism.

It was also concluded that the Kenyan government has not prioritized mental health support for its population let alone for women human rights defenders. The researcher hopes that the findings of this study will function as a bridge between the current state of affairs and the desired future – where WHRDs’ physical as well as mental needs are catered for and prioritized. It is hoped that the ultimate outcome of this assessment will be the provision of support to WHRDS where findings indicate a need for their mental health and general wellbeing be prioritized.

Thus, the main goal of this research is to mainstream mental health support for WHRDs, owing to the strenuous and potentially trauma-inducing ‘work’ they engage in. effects of such conditions by taking care of their mental health and nurturing their emotional wellbeing.

Full report here WHRD Mental Wellbeing

Today, we speak as environmentalists, conservationists, civil society organizations and advocates of the earth to demand action from our leaders, starting with the President of Kenya, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya Forestry Service and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, to thoroughly investigate the murder of Joannah Stutchbury. This Kenyan Environmental Defender was killed yesterday, 15th July 2021, at around 16h35 (EAT) just outside her home. Kenyan authorities must ensure that the killers, who dared to murder her in broad daylight, face the full force of the law. 

The preamble of our Constitution states that we are “RESPECTFUL of the environment, which is our heritage, and determined to sustain it for the benefit of future generations” Article 42 guarantees all Kenyans the right to a clean and healthy environment. 

Unless environmental defenders are effectively protected, we will be forced to continue to attend their burial ceremonies. Their only crime was to stand and protect the Constitution that we dearly love. 

Crimes against the environment are the fourth largest criminal enterprise – only drugs, counterfeiting, and human trafficking beats it. Environmental crimes (experts prefer the term ecocide) ranks higher than the sales of illegal arms. Threats to active environmental protectors have claimed the lives of the courageous ivory investigator Esmond Bradley Martin, Esther Mwikali, Sengwer Robert Kiprotich, and forced Phyllis Omido and other environmental defenders into hiding recently. 

We are alarmed at the rate at which human rights activists, environmentalists, and conservationists are threatened, harassed, and killed each day in Kenya and worldwide. At the same time, the perpetrators continue to scour the country free from any repercussions. 

Joannah was a dedicated and committed conservationist and an ambassador of the forest who never turned a blind eye when she saw illegalities within the Kiambu forest. We believe this is the reason why she was killed. 

We are fully cognizant and applaud the President, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, for condemning this act of cowardice from the perpetrators. Indeed, they saw no other way to silence our beloved Joannah – who made bold statements favouring the environment, including protecting our forests – but by killing her. 

For this reason, we, as organizations from all parts of the country, the African region, and the world, condemn this senseless killing and call for justice for Joannah and all the other environmental and human rights activists who have lost their lives while defending the integrity of our environment and natural heritage. These fierce and courageous defenders have met their untimely death while trying to leave behind a better world for the next generation, for being the voices and guardians of the trees in the forests that give us the oxygen that we breathe and the wildlife that attracts billions of shillings as foreign currency from the tourists that visit this nation. 

Protecting our environment, wetlands, and forests is not optional. It is a precondition for the survival of Kenya. 

It is for all the above reasons that we demand: 

A. The President 

1. Ensure the DCI takes this matter seriously and proper investigations are done. 

2. Direct the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, as well as the Kenya Forestry Service, to come up with a plan of protecting and, where appropriate, gazetting all forest lands in Kenya to shield them from land grabbers who see the forests as opportunities to enrich themselves at the expense of our environment and all Kenyans. 

3. Nurture, protect and enhance the capacity of forest-dwelling and indigenous communities, like the Ogiek and Sengwer, to defend and protect our forests, lakes, and rivers. 

4. To direct, with immediate effect, environmental activists to stop being labelled as anti-development, nay-sayers, disruptors, or a nuisance. 

B. The Directorate of Criminal Investigation 

1. To thoroughly investigate Joannah’s murder and not leave any stone unturned in their pursuit of the perpetrators. Further, to make public their status report within 14 days henceforth (by 30th July 2021) 

2. To prosecute the perpetrators, including their agents and accomplices, of this cowardly and heinous act and ensure that justice is met. 

C. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry 

1. Coordinate with other relevant ministries and government departments to ensure our environment and forests are not afterthoughts whenever any decisions (be it development projects or otherwise) are made. 

2. Work with environment activists, conservationists, forest-dwelling, and indigenous communities to reach a grassroots – grass tops solution to protect our environment, forests, rivers, and swamps from land grabbers. 

This statement has been endorsed by the organizations and entities below: 

1. deCOALonize Campaign Kenya 

2. Wildlife Direct 

3. Amnesty International Kenya 

4. The Defenders Coalition 

5. Center for Justice Governance & Environmental Action 

6. Daima Coalition for Green Spaces protection 

7. Centre for Natural Resource Governance – Zimbabwe. 

and 67 other human rights organizations

 The Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya acknowledges and appreciates the preliminary investigation report from the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) that led to the arrest of the six police officers by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) for the murder of the Kianjakoma brothers Benson Njiru Ndwiga and Emanuel Marura Ndwiga who were arrested in Kithangari Village in Embu County on 1st August 2021 – for allegedly violating curfew orders. 

As the investigations progress we urge the investigators to: 

a. Ensure that the specific individuals responsible for the actual assault an torture to death are identified among the six and, or any other officer; 

b. Ensure that officers who are complicit for witnessing and protecting the actual assault and torture suspects are identified; 

c. Ensure command responsibility for the killing and dumping the bodies, and failure to report deaths in police action as required by IPOA and NPS Acts.. 

We are however disappointed that no police commander who bears the highest responsibility was arrested and charged. Neither the Ward, Sub-County, County nor Regional Commanders are on the list of those brought to court yesterday. While pursuing individual criminal responsibility is critical in this case, we believe that by accountability at command level will send a strong and unequivocal message that criminality within the Service will no longer be tolerated. 

We commend Kenyans from all walks of life for rising up and speaking about brutality of police officers against civilians, and the systemic nature of this criminality. This is a sure testament that if we come out as a country and speak out on what is wrong, swift action will be taken, but we shall save many more lives. We call upon Kenyans not to drop the baton on their quest for human rights and better policing. 

We are cognizant that even after the murder of the two brothers, there was still another unwarranted killing and serious gunshot injuries to 4 persons in Kianjokoma as a result of unnecessary and excessive use of force and firearms’ against protesting citizens. We urge for speedy conclusion in this case including identifying: 

We call for speedy conclusion of investigations into the; 

a. specific officer (s) who fatally shot and killed Moses Kimathi Njiru 

b. specific officer(s) involved shooting and serious injury of 4 persons who are still in the hospital; 

c. command responsibility for the indiscriminate shooting and violence against pubic demo, including the operation order issued with regard to the demonstrations 

We call for the arrest of the Ward Commander (OCS) and Sub-County Police Commander (OCPD), County Commander and Regional Commander for their role in the entire incident, and resultant actions and decisions. 

We also reiterate the need for immediate placement of all witnesses under the Witness Protection Program for their own safety and security, to facilitate objective investigations and safeguard the integrity of the investigation. 

While the effort of IPOA and ODPP are to be appreciated for their role in the investigation and prosecution, we at the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya, still feel there is more that ought to be done to ensure future deterrent of rogue police officers engaging in wanton murder of the youth. 

Once more we are disappointed by the delays of the Office of the Attorney General in operationalizing the National Coroners Service Act 2017, which continues to undermine the criminal justice system in professionally investigating suspicious deaths in police custody and police operations. The Office of Coroner-General would have been called upon to carry out an autopsy, preservation and analysis of other evidence to ascertain the cause of death 

including whether they were tortured. Tragically, the National Coroners Service Act 2017 remains inoperational for the last four years. We reiterate our call to the Attorney General to immediately operationalize the National Coroners Service Act 2017. 

This statement was signed on 18th August 2021 by members of the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya, an alliance of national and grassroots organisations committed to professional and rule of law policing. They include: 

1. Amnesty International Kenya, 2. Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), 3. Defenders Coalition; 4. HAKI Africa, 5. Independent Medical-Legal Unit (IMLU). 6. International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ-Kenya), 7. International Justice Mission (IJM-K), 8. Katiba Institute, 9. Kariobangi Paralegal Network, 10. Kenya’s for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ), 11. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), 12. Peace Brigades International (PBI), 13. Shield For Justice (SJF), 14. Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), 15. The Kenyan Section of International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), 16. Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), 17. Usalama Reforms Forum, 18. Wangu Kanja Foundation, 19. Women Empowerment Link (WEL), 20. Social Justice Centre Working Group. 

 We, the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya condemn the deaths in police custody of 22 and 19-year-old siblings, Benson Njiru Ndwiga and Emanuel Marura Ndwiga after they were arrested by police officers in Kithangari Village in Embu County on 1st August 2021 – for allegedly violating curfew orders. Their bodies were discovered two days later by family members at the Embu Level 5 Hospital Morgue. 

Whereas Embu North Sub-County Police Commander, Emily Ngaruiya claims that the two died because of head injuries sustained after they ‘discreetly’ jumped out of a moving police van, our preliminary findings contradict this narrative. We, therefore, welcome the move by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to carry out independent investigations to ascertain their cause of death and whether the police narrative is indeed accurate. We ask for speedy investigations by the IPOA team. PRWG-K has also engaged an independent pathologist to witness the postmortem examination to take place later today. 

We sadly note that this is not the first death arising out of police enforcement of COVID-19 measures. Indeed a number of our members have published reports of deaths caused by police while enforcing these measures. The Independent Medico-Legal Unit, for instance, received 25 cases of extra-judicial executions and 43 cases of torture and ill-treatment as a results of enforcement of Covid-19 regulations. 

Further, we note that suspicious deaths in police custody are one of the circumstances in which the Coroner’s Office under a Coroner-General, would have been called upon to carry out an autopsy, preservation, and analysis of other evidence to ascertain the cause of death including whether they were tortured. Sadly, the National Coroners Service Act 2017 has not been operationalized since its passage in 2017. 

The PRWG-K wishes to remind the police and the government that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees the right to life, human dignity, security of the person, and freedom from torture, rights of arrested persons, and fair trial. The security apparatus of Kenya is mandated to promote, protect, and fulfill these rights. A breach of these rights is an abdication of duty and illegality that we condemn in the strongest possible terms. It is in this breath that we call upon the Attorney General and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government to immediately set up the law to enhance justice and police accountability in Kenya. 

Last week, Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi found Police Officer David Rono culpable in the death of 20-year-old Nura Malicha Molu based on the investigations and evidence produced by IPOA in the inquest. The police claimed that Nura was killed in February 2015 for attacking Officer David Rono during a robbery. However, evidence showed that their testimony was inconsistent; the matter was never reported to the police station and there was no Occurrence Book (OB) entry. Additionally, crucial evidence such as the sword Nura was allegedly wielding during the robbery was never produced for analysis nor was it produced as evidence before the court, including KES 5,000 and a phone that was allegedly stolen and recovered from Nura. The Court noted that the police may have been covering up for their colleagues and ordered the file to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for appropriate action. 

Furthermore, the PRWG-K calls upon the Inspector General of the NPS to enforce the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service Act which requires police officers to provide medical assistance when serious injury results from the use of force; and obligates officers to report to superiors and IPOA when death and serious injury results from their actions. The law makes failure to do so a criminal offence which investigators, IPOA, ODPP and the Judiciary should begin enforcing. 

The PRWG-K reiterates that for Kenyans to be truly safe and their rights protected, police must conduct themselves in an accountable, professional and human rights compliant manner. Any officer who violates the laws that they are sworn to protect must be investigated and prosecuted. 

PRWG-K also takes this opportunity to implore on the members of the public to stay calm and desist from taking the law into their hands as we push the justice actors to speed up investigation and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book. We also call upon them to assist the police with information relevant in the investigations. 

This statement is signed on 5th August 2021 by members of the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya, an alliance of national and grassroots organisations committed to professional and rule of law policing. They include: 

1. Amnesty International Kenya 

2. Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO) 

3. Defenders Coalition 

4. HAKI Africa 

5. Independent Medical-Legal Unit (IMLU) 

6. International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ-Kenya) 

7. International Justice Mission (IJM-K) 

8. Katiba Institute 

9. Kariobangi Paralegal Network 

10. Kenya’s for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) 

11. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) 

12. Peace Brigades International (PBI) 

13. Shield for Justice (SJF) 

14. Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED) 

15. The Kenyan Section of International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) 

16. Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) 

17. Usalama Reforms Forum 

18. Wangu Kanja Foundation 

19. Women Empowerment Link (WEL) 

Mother of the two brothers killed by police officers mourns them during her sons’ burial in Embu  #JusticeForKianjokomaBrothers

Photos Courtesy: Amnesty International Kenya

Even though Kenya adopted a progressive constitution that incorporates the Bill of Rights in 2010, there still exists in statute books, laws and policies that continue to deprive Kenyans of their rights and impose undue restrictions on fundamental freedoms. This project is premised on the adoption of Resolution 275 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in 2014. The Resolution recalled the notion of equality and non- discrimination as well as raised concerns on the state and acts of violence and discrimination against LGB/TIGNC persons in Africa. The Resolution also called for action by the state on carrying their due diligence in investigating human rights violations from the group.

SOGIE HRDs in Kenya continue to operate in fear, threats, intimidation and stigmatisation. On 24 May 2019, The High Court in Kenya upheld sections 162 and 165 of the penal code which criminalizes same sex relations among consenting adults. This contradicts Article 27(4) of the Kenyan constitution that states ‘’The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, color, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.’’ Despite this ruling, the determination of SOGIE HRDs to advance the rights of the SOGIE community in Kenya continues to be a beacon of hope for the community. However, Defenders Coalition noted increased security concerns after the ruling and also with the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic.

These include but not limited to forced evictions by landlords, non-inclusion of SOGIE issues by actors in the human rights movement, discrimination in religious and social institutions, attacks by family members and in public transport, online harassment, threats to attack their offices and mental torture. SOGIE HRDs are on the receiving end as the community members accuse them of recruiting their children to homosexuality and more or less, SOGIE community members run to them for help in case of attacks. There is the need to build their skills in an effort to support them respond to threats, risks and attacks in their work. 

SOGIE HRDs have made inroads in creating partners and allies in their line of work. This includes state agencies and non-state actors. This has happened mainly in areas where there are strong SOGIE organizations and coalitions thus making inroads on behalf of the networks. It is on this premise that Defenders Coalition held a strategic meeting between the Social Justice Centers Working Group in Nairobi and SOGIE HRDs:

1. To create a platform for networking amongst SOGIE HRDs and Social Justice Centers HRDs
2. Conducted a scenario developing, mapping of joint security actions and further linkages with regional and county human rights defenders’ networks.
3. Sensitized the HRDs on the work of Defenders Coalition especially on innovations around the work supporting human rights work.