@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪

Defenders Coalition is the only national organisation that works primarily on safety and protection of HRDs in Kenya. RTs/Follow are not endorsements

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

#KnowTheDefendersCoalition
#StandUp4HumanRights
Since its founding in 2007, the Defenders Coalition has championed a safe and secure operating environment for frontline Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Kenya. We work to promote and protect the rights and freedoms of those who promote and protect the rights of others.

Know more about our work on our website here https://t.co/BJCBH84eaJ

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Defenders Coalition will be LIVE on @SpiceFMKE !

Be sure to catch Livingstone Nyando, Protection and Wellness Manager at Defenders Coalition, as he joins critical discussions on compensation for protest victims, access to justice, and accountability while exploring existing gaps, challenges, and opportunities, including the operationalization of the Victims' Compensation Fund.

Be sure to tune in 👉https://t.co/dM4RdZvwet

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Friends and supporters of Human Rights Defenders are being called upon to stand in solidarity with David Katana, a human rights defender from Kilifi County. David was charged with a fabricated offense of trespassing on private property and felling trees in criminal case No. E987 of 2024. He was found guilty on 28 October 2026. His sentencing will be tomorrow at the Kilifi Law Courts.

[VOCAL Africa @VOCALAfrica_]

The Kilifi Law Courts have postponed the sentencing of environmental defender Peter Komora in Criminal Case No. E214 of 2020 to November 16, 2026, pending the submission of a probation report by the court.

Convicted on October 29 following charges under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, Komora maintains that his actions stemmed from a collaboration with a community resource person to apprehend suspected wildlife offenders.

VOCAL Africa stands in firm solidarity with Peter Komora, joining human rights organizations across Kenya to champion fair-trial guarantees and protect those on the frontlines of community and environmental justice.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

COURT UPDATE: PETER KOMORA'S SENTENCING POSTPONED!

Today at the Kilifi Law Courts, the sentencing of Peter Komora in Criminal Case No. E214 of 2020 was scheduled to take place before Hon. J.N. Mwaniki, Chief Magistrate. However, the court postponed the sentencing to 16th November 2026, on the ground that the probation report is yet to be submitted.

In 2020, Komora, a prominent environmental and land human rights defender from Kilifi County, was arrested in connection with a wildlife-related incident involving two elephant tusks. He was charged under Section 95 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, CAP. 376. He maintains that his involvement arose from collaboration with a community resource person associated with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in efforts to apprehend suspected wildlife offenders. Following years of proceedings, the court found him guilty on 29th October 2026.

The Defenders Coalition reiterates that the right to defend human rights is protected under Kenya’s constitutional and international human rights framework. The Constitution guarantees fair-trial protections and access to justice, while recognising the importance of environmental protection and the right of communities to seek legal remedies when their rights are threatened.

We thank all human rights defenders and human rights organizations for standing in solidarity with Peter Komora.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

The Judiciary is now the new arena for persecution of Activists. Land Rights Defender and Kilifi community activist Peter Komora will be sentenced on Monday, 9 November 2026 at Kilifi Law Court over a trumped-up charge. Sadly, the court accepts a police fabricated charge of possession of narcotics that is aimed at silencing this vocal rights defender. Let’s join in court solidarity and condemn persecution of activists who defend their communities.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

COURT TO SENTENCE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER PETER KOMORA, 9TH NOVEMBER

Defenders Coalition stands in solidarity with Peter Komora, an environmental human rights defender(HRD) from Kilifi County who awaits sentencing on Monday, 9 November 2026, at Kilifi Law Courts.

Peter has spent over a decade advocating for community land rights and environmental protection.

On 29 October 2026, Peter was convicted of possessing wildlife trophies in a case dating back to 2020, despite maintaining that his involvement arose from efforts to apprehend suspected poachers in collaboration with individuals linked to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

His conviction raises serious concerns about the risks confronting frontline individuals who defend community land and mobilize communities to advocate for environmental justice.

Defenders Coalition calls upon HRDs, civil society organisations, and partners to stand in solidarity with Peter Komora as he appears before the Kilifi Law Courts for sentencing on Monday, 9 November 2026.

#StandWithPeterKomora

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

''Journalists are frontline human rights defenders for their everyday work of promoting access to information for citizens who in turn utilize this to make informed decisions.

When journalists are threatened, assaulted, harassed online, arbitrarily arrested, intimidated, or prevented from reporting, it is not only an attack on the media. It is an attack on the public's right to know. It is an attack on transparency, accountability, and democracy itself.'' -Gloria Madegwa: Head of Progams and Strategic Partnerships ,Defenders Coalition

#mediacsoconference2026 #Electoralintegrity

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬.

Defenders Coalition’s Protection and Resilience Manager, Livingstone Nyando, participated in a panel discussion on Capacity Strengthening for the Safety, Protection and Well-being of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders at the ongoing 4th Annual Media-Civil Society Organization (CSO) Conference.

During the discussion, we highlighted the importance of strengthening and actively implementing safety and protection mechanisms for journalists and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), particularly as Kenya approaches the 2027 electoral cycle.

Follow the discussion live on Youtube https://t.co/CVsfNavXh8
#mediacsoconference2026 #Electoralintegrity

[TI-Kenya @TIKenya]

TARLY (Towards Accountable and Responsive Leadership for the Youth), a consortium project that we together with @DefendersKE, @AmnestyKenya @ShujaazInc, and @thekhrc, are in the 2nd year of implementing, now has a name and an identity
Jenga Uongozi

#JengaUongozi

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

HAPPENING NOW!

Defenders Coalition is taking part in the 4th Annual Media-Civil Society Organization(CSO) Conference bringing together media practitioners, CSOs, regulators, oversight institutions, technology actors and other relevant stakeholders to examine emerging electoral risks, strengthen preparedness and develop practical approaches for protecting democratic participation before, during and after the 2027 elections.

The Conference particularly recognizes that credible elections depend not only on the integrity of electoral processes, but also on an informed public, professional and independent media, an active civil society, safe journalists, inclusive participation and resilient institutions.

Follow the Conversations live on Youtube here 👉https://t.co/4S9yIqLOhc
#MediaCSOConference2026 #CivicSpace #ElectoralIntegrity

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Defenders Coalition stands in solidarity with land and environmental defenders who work peacefully and lawfully to protect and promote human rights and reiterates that communities must be able to pursue justice without fear that those who speak out on their behalf will be subjected to retaliatory criminal proceedings.

We urge the relevant authorities to ensure that the cases involving Peter Komora and David Katana Juma are subject to appropriate legal scrutiny and that both defenders can exercise their rights under the law.
https://t.co/tVHU4vQIqB

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

PRESS STATEMENT
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS CONVICTED IN KILIFI COUNTY TO APPEAL VERDICT

The Defenders Coalition is deeply concerned by the convictions of two land and environmental human rights defenders, Peter Komora and David Katana Juma, from Kilifi County in separate criminal cases. The convictions come against a backdrop of persistent challenges faced by land and environmental defenders in Kenya, particularly those working in contexts where access to land, community livelihoods, environmental conservation and private commercial interests intersect.

Read and share this statement

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

5️⃣
On 29 November, we conducted a monitoring visit to Haki Village in Kitengela. We were encouraged to witness the steady progress being made as the vision for a research, training, creativity, and wellness Centre continues to take shape, one milestone at a time.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

A week in the life of Defenders Coalition!

This week, Defenders Coalition participated and collaborated with partners in various engagements aimed at strengthening the protection of Human Rights Defenders, access to justice and participation in civic processes.

1️⃣
Between 26th to 30th October 2026, Defenders Coalition joined the Law Society of Kenya @LawSocietyofKe at its Annual Legal Awareness Week to take legal information and support closer to human rights defenders (HRDs), the communities they serve and to connect them to available legal aid and protection mechanisms.

2️⃣
On 27th October 2026, Defenders Coalition, in partnership with @siasaplace , conducted a Digital and Social Media Security Training for 15 human rights defenders (HRDs) in Nairobi. The session explored digital security measures that HRDs can adopt to protect themselves online, addressed technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), and equipped participants with practical strategies to strengthen their safety and security across social media platforms.

3️⃣
On 29th October 2026, Defenders Coalition partnered with @DefendDefenders , in a virtual refresher session for Training of Trainers (ToT) on strengthening the security of human rights defenders (HRDs) in Kenya.

4️⃣
From 28th to 31st October 2026, Defenders Coalition joined storytellers, human rights defenders and policymakers from across Africa at the #Afrotellers2026 Conference for policy and practice discussions on Narrative Sovereignty in the age of AI and Shifting Global Power.