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It is injury time for Kenya as the August 9 general elections approaches. Its that time when like others who believe in democracy the citizen have the opportunity to renew mandates of their leaders to govern the state in their behalf, or replace them with those that they believe provide alternative solutions to their problems or meet their aspirations. To make informed choices, political parties and individuals develop and market their manifestos.

Various government agencies are tasked with putting their houses in order for the peaceful conduct of the election and to ensure the process lead to free, fair and credible. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for example must act as a fair umpire and ensure the field is fair for all players by ensuring that enabling laws are in place and followed to the letter, and the electoral infrastructure is beyond reproach. The security agencies ensure the leaders freely and safely market their candidature and the citizens make choices out of free will and not through coercion, intimidation, violence, threats or insults. On the other hand, advocates of human rights including civil society organizations (CSOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), HRD Networks, Human Rights Movements and human rights defenders (HRDs) are keen to promote electoral integrity, respect for human rights and accountable leadership prior to, during and post election 2022.

Defenders Coalition which is concerned with good governance, rule of law and the respect of human rights for all by working with human rights defenders at the frontline to ensure that they are safe when conducting their frontline role of promoting peace, harmony, justice and the respect for human rights. We have made deliberate efforts to strengthen the capacities of Civil Society Groups  and individuals to effectively play their critical role of monitoring, documenting and reporting human rights violations during the election period for timely remedies and justice for the victims. Defenders Coalition has trained and deployed 105 monitors to conduct this work across 29 counties in Kenya. We are also collaborating with our partners that have monitors in the other counties to share critical information that is helpful in advancing the safety of HRDs and election monitors from all the 47 counties in Kenya.

Among the benefits that HRDs have gained from the Coalition is skills to confront and manage risks during the 2022 elections period. Over One hundred and Fifty  HRDs (155) undergone training in digital security management following documentation of risks encountered when HRDs conducted advocacy at digital platforms. Out of 155, trained,  60% are Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) and sexual minority rights advocates.

In addition to leadership in enhancing HRDs safety, Defenders Coalition has been encouraging the HRDs family to prioritize the physical and mental wellbeing. As a demonstration, we launched and continue to rally HRDs to participate in outdoor excursions. The most successful in 2022 being able to successfully conquered Mt. Kenya in March. During this physically challenging but rewarding endeavour 17 out of 17 climbers made it to Point Lenana demonstrating resilience and commitment to a good cause of raising awareness on human rights violations and to funds for the establishment of the Haki Village; a resource hub for HRDs and the larger human rights community.

It is unfortunate that we such positive human rights strides we also encountered huge setbacks. Human rights defenders Elizabeth Ekaru and Sheila Lumumba were brutally murdered in 2022 with little progress in holding those responsible to account. In the case of Elizabeth, an arrest was made and the matter is in court. However no arrest were made for the killers of Sheila despite massive public outrage. Other Cases of HRDs killed in previous years remained unresolved including Paul Ndirangu Kioi killed in 2020, environmentalist Joanna Stutchbury, in 2021, Journalist Betty Barasa in 2021, and Joash Mosoti in 2021. There has also been worrying escalation of attacks of the rights of sexual minority individuals and groups with impunity including routine harassment by law enforcement agents, arbitrary arrests and detention, extortion, sexual violence, physical assault, and evictions.