@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

[InformAction Kenya @InformAction_KE]

Did you know we commemorate Katiba Day this month?🤔

On 27 August, we mark 16 years of Kenya’s Constitution. But how much do you know about it?

👉🏾 Here are 5 things you need to know.
#KatibaAt16 #KatibaDay2026 #HakiNiYetu

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Happy KATIBA DAY!

The rights, freedoms, dignity and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution are for the enjoyment of all.
#KatibaAt16

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

‘Defending the Sovereignity of our constitution is paramount’ - Wambua Kituku : Executive Director, Kituo Cha Sheria @KituoSheria

#KatibaAt16

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Defenders Coalition joins Kenyans in commemorating 16 years of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 #KatibaAt16

This KATIBA DAY we reflect on the gains made and challenges encountered while safeguarding the implementation of our Constitution.

We are reminded that protecting Constitutionalism requires our collective efforts as all citizens and human rights defenders.

Join the conversation live on YouTube 👉https://t.co/vUWwzypSAd

[PAWA254 @Pawa254]

On the 27th of August 2026, we mark the 16th anniversary of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚, 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎, a groundbreaking legal framework that centres human rights at its core.

Hailed as one of the most progressive Constitutions globally, we spend the next few days exploring some of the developments and changes that the 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐚 ushered in upon its promulgation.

#KatibaAt16
#JuaKatibaYako

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

SEASON 2 IS HERE!🔈

Lace up, Kenya and friends of Kenya, the @ClimbforJustice Initiative is back! Our First stop is Gatamaiyu Forest in Kiambu County and we cannot wait to hit the trail with YOU.

Season 1 took us up the breathtaking hills
and mountains of East Africa. Proceeds from the hikes facilitated the acquisition of land for HAKI VILLAGE.

🤝Join us in the second season of scaling
mountains to raise funds for building HAKI Village and related infrastructure.

Book your slot today!
💰MPESA Paybill: 810896 | Account: Your Name
☎️For more information contact :0110533721
 Learn more: https://t.co/3THKSH0hHz

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Last week, the Defenders Coalition trained 19 members of Social Justice Centres in Kakamega County on civic education to strengthen civic awareness and enhance democratic governance and peaceful electoral processes in Kenya.

The training equipped grassroots Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) with the knowledge and practical skills to promote civic participation, peaceful electoral engagement, and awareness of civil rights and responsibilities as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Elections.

Following the successful two-day training, the trainees held a civic education engagement with community members from Kakamega’s Lurambi, Ikolomani, and Shinyalu sub-counties. The engagement was held on 19th August.

The community engagement reached 100 community leaders, including women, youth, elders, HRDs, and other community actors, providing an important platform for community members to share their experiences, concerns, and expectations ahead of the 2027 elections.

These engagements were followed by a courtesy call to the Vihiga Law Courts to deliberate on the importance of strengthening collaboration between the Judiciary, HRDs, and other community actors in finding sustainable solutions to community challenges and strengthening community-based dispute resolution mechanisms through Alternative Justice Systems (AJS).

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Happy New Week!

We kick off our week with reflections from Defenders Coalition’s staff on what motivates/inspires them to work towards our vision of a society that is safe for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs).

We would love to hear from you today:
What inspires you to do the human rights work that you do?

Share a video or message telling us what motivates and inspires you to continue advocating for human rights.

#MondayMotivation

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

The Defenders Coalition will be joining the End Femicide Movement #EndFemicideKE for a Community Baraza on Collective Community Protection and Care in Advancing Civic Space in Kenya.

This convening brings together movements, activists, and community members to strengthen cross-movement collaboration, Pan-Africanism, feminism, and sovereignty. Together, we will unpack the TaskForce report, address the #EndFemicideKE initiative, and discuss community-led strategies for protection, safety, and care.
Today’s meeting is hosted by the Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders - Kenya (CGHRD).

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Last week, the Defenders Coalition, together with the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders(HRDs) Network @sshrdNetwork and South Sudan National Human Rights Commission, held a learning and exchange visit with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights @HakiKNCHR , Katiba Institute @katibainstitute , Kenya Human Rights Commission @thekhrc , The Law Society of Kenya @LawSocietyofKe and ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa @article19org

The visit provided an important platform for sharing experiences, learning from best practices and strengthening regional cooperation in the protection and promotion of human rights.

The engagement highlighted the importance of deepening regional collaboration and building sustainable networks for knowledge sharing and support among human rights defenders.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Here’s a little more from the latest episode of the Justice Watchers Podcast with Francis Auma @fauma76 , where he speaks about the challenges human rights defenders (HRDs) endure in their work.

He recounts a moment in 2016 when he, alongside @HakiAfrica , Muslims for Human Rights @MUHURIkenya and other HRDs, were accused of promoting violence and had their accounts frozen following the publication of the report dubbed 'We’re Tired of Taking You to Court'.

The report documented diverse human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and abductions, among others linked to counterterrorism operations.

Through this and other experiences shared, he shows the courage and resilience it takes to continue defending human rights

🎧 Tune in and be part of the conversation:
Spotify: https://t.co/G1JcJeUhzz

YouTube: https://t.co/0bkt4i6aS0

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Defenders Coalition continues to strengthen the capacities of grassroot Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) on personal protection skills.

We recently partnered with Civic Voice @CivicVoiceInt , to train 34 HRDs on security management. The training was held between 11- 13 August in Kisumu County.   

The HRDs were also equipped with mental wellbeing strategies aimed at cultivating personal resilience and sustainable impactful human rights advocacy.

Civic Voice is an organisation that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage meaningfully in civic and political processes.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Welcome back to Season 2, Episode 4 of the Justice Watchers Podcast!

In this episode, we have a conversation with Francis Auma @fauma76 (also known as Gambasugu), a human rights defender and community organiser from Makupa, Mombasa County. Francis works with Muslims for Human Rights @MUHURIkenya

Francis is full of raw energy that lights up every room he steps into. He has a track record of taking the lead when it comes to petitioning state agencies and agitating for social justice. He is a face synonymous with the agitation of civil and political rights in the coastal region.

His story highlights how lived experiences inspire advocacy, civic education, and the commitment to protect rights and freedoms for all.

🎧 Tune in and be part of the conversation:
Spotify: https://t.co/G1JcJeUhzz

YouTube: https://t.co/0bkt4i6aS0

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Today at the @LawSocietyofKe's Annual Conference, our Executive Director at @dkisngugi joined a high-level panel on Electoral Justice in Kenya. He advanced thought provoking discussions on the critical role of citizens in electoral justice.
Specifically, he noted that citizens exercise the sovereign power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives. Secondly, they exercise political and voting rights. They also bear the duty to shape leadership and demand accountability through monitoring leadership, petitioning and public participation and upholding integrity.
Kamau emphasized that electoral Justice is not merely about post-election court rulings or declaring winners. True electoral justice is an ecosystem that includes freedom of assembly, speech, access to information, and timely remedies when rights are violated.

Further Kamau observed that Kenya’s electoral landscape is threatened by a compounding mix of political realignment, institutional distrust, and state-backed repression. Moreover, there is increased youth-led civic action over economic stagnation, taxation, and high unemployment. Escalating these risks is a deep-seated skepticism toward the electoral infrastructure, particularly regarding the @IEBCKenya's operational credibility, voter register integrity, and electoral technology procurement. Rather than mitigating these tensions, state actors are worsening instability through heavy-handed policing, the criminalization of peaceful assembly, political “goonism” and systemic attacks on press freedom, civil society, and human rights defenders. Compounded by widespread misinformation, hate speech, and digital threats, the erosion of democratic oversight and constitutional integrity (Chapter 6) fundamentally threatens peaceful political transition.

The discussion ended on a high note that democracy is not protected by institutions alone. It is protected when citizens are free to participate, journalists can report, HRDs can document, and courts can hold power accountable without intimidation.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Cascading Civic Education!

After two days of intense training for social justice actors, today we move from learning to action.

Over 100 community leaders are gathered at Dandora Community Hall for a community dialogue on civic education and democratic participation. The participants are drawn from diverse sectors, including women, youth, elders, persons with disabilities, Human Rights Defenders and members of Social Justice Centres.

The dialogue provides an important opportunity to cascade the knowledge and skills gained during the training to communities, strengthen civic awareness, and encourage meaningful participation as Kenya prepares for the August 2027 General Elections.

An informed community is an empowered community. By taking civic education to the grassroots, we are investing in citizens who understand their rights, responsibilities and role in shaping accountable leadership and a democratic society.

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

https://t.co/1CIsz5RAXf

The Defenders Coalition welcomes the court order directing the Government to set aside Ksh.105 million to compensate victims of torture, enforced disappearances and abductions. The order is an important step towards recognising the suffering of victims and fulfilling the State's obligation to provide effective remedies and reparations for human rights violations.

However, compensation alone is not justice.

Victims and their families deserve not only reparations, but also truth, accountability and guarantees of non-recurrence. Those responsible for torture, abductions, enforced disappearances and other violations must be identified, investigated and, where evidence establishes responsibility, prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Government must therefore ensure that the reparations process is transparent, accessible and victim-centred, while simultaneously pursuing credible investigations into the violations that necessitated compensation in the first place.

We call on the @IPOA_KE and @ODPP_KE to ensure that perpetrators do not enjoy impunity simply because victims have received financial compensation. The State cannot compensate victims with one hand and protect perpetrators with the other.

The Defenders Coalition stands in solidarity with all victims and families affected by torture, abductions and enforced disappearances. We will continue to advocate for a justice process that delivers reparation, accountability, truth and guarantees that these violations will not be repeated.

*Reparations can begin the journey towards healing. Accountability is what helps deliver justice.*

[@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪 @DefendersKE]

Our Head of Programs and Strategic Partnerships @GloriaMadegwa1 will be a speaker at the panel to look into safety, power, accountability, legislation in relation to the epidemic of femicide in Kenya during the @LawSocietyofKe Women’s Forum 2026 at the LSK Annual Conference.
Gloria will take the opportunity to highlight the clarion call of the Defenders Coalition and End Femicide Movement which includes
- An immediate recognition of femicide as an independent and heinous offense;
- The amendment of archaic laws that criminalize sex work, sexual and gender minorities; and
- The establishment of a survivor-centered justice system.

Stay tuned for more updates.
#LSKAnnualConference2026 #BusinessUnusual