It is with profound sadness that the Defenders Coalition and the human rights defender’s community mourns the passing of Benna Buluma, a courageous activist and leader in the fight for justice. Mama Victor joins a long list of Kenyans that have lost their lives recently following high rainfall, whose flow is casually, recklessly or simply not managed at all by the relevant government authorities and its wanting leadership.

Mama Victor’s life was marked by resilience, and her commitment to seeking truth and justice for victims of police impunity will forever inspire us. She chose to speak up about cold-blooded killing by police of her two sons – Victor and Benard in August 2017. Despite the unimaginable pain of losing her sons Mama Victor inspired countless others who have suffered similar losses to develop a Network of Justice Worriors of Mothers whose Sons were victims of Police killings and impunity.

Defenders Coalition amplified Mama Victor’s resilience through the DAILY NATION in 2022. Read https://defenderscoalition.org/enough-is-enough-we-can-not-lose-our-sons-to-police-bullets-no-more-meet-benna-buluma-aka-mama-victor/

The Mothers of Victims and Survivors Network supported families affected by extrajudicial killings. Under her leadership as the network’s co-convenor, the Network expanded its reach to communities across Nairobi, including Kayole, Mukuru, Kasarani, Kibera, Kariobangi, and Dandora. Mama Victor’s tireless efforts to amplify the voices of the victim’s families and demand accountability from those in power have left an unforgettable mark on Kenya’s human rights landscape.

The conspicuous absence of Mama Victor at the April 24, 2024 Launch of 2023 Missing Voices Coalition Report on State of Extra Judicial killings in Kenya  triggered uncomfortable murmurs regarding her whereabouts and safety as her phones were unanswered. HRDs attending the launch kicked off a search at Mathare North where she lived with her family. That the government officials and its leadership was unavailable to support the HRDs who eventually traced hers and other bodies victims of flooding is deeply concerning.

As we mourn the loss of Benna Buluma, let us also honor her memory by reminding ourselves of the pursuit of justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings and their families.

The Defenders Coalition and the human rights defenders community stands in solidarity with Benna’s family, friends, and colleagues, and we pledge to continue the work that she so passionately championed. Benna may no longer be with us, but her legacy will endure as a beacon of hope and resilience for those dedicated to the quest for justice.

Rest in power, Benna Buluma.