Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Triumphs and Shadows.
Grassroots Human Rights Defenders
Grassroots Human Rights Defenders (GHRDs) and social movements play an important role in Kenyan Civil Society. GHRDs are often the ones present on the ground, documenting cases, collecting evidence and speaking to victims and community members. As such, they are very visible and vulnerable to possible aggressors, but may lack the resources and the networks to provide for adequate protection. Since its inception, PBI Kenya has been providing solidarity and protection to GHRDs and support to social justice processes. Additionally, PBI Kenya continues to actively increase the reach and visibility of GHRDs in Nairobi’s urban settlements.
Find out more information about our work with grassroots human rights movements here:
Police Reforms Working Group - Kenya: Taskforce report welcome but short on human rights protection and community policing
The Police Reforms Working Group- Kenya, on 28 November 2023, issued a statement in response to the report of the National Taskforce on Improvement of Terms and Conditions of Service and other reforms for members of the National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service. They deemed the report welcome, but short on human rights and community policing.
We are in Kilifi; unveiling the new cohort of WHRDs toolkit organizers in the Coast
PBI draws the attention of the Human Rights Council to extrajudicial executions in Kenya
In June PBI drew the attention of the United Nations Human Rights Council to extrajudicial executions committed in Colombia, Honduras and Kenya.
About Kenya, the full statement reads:
Peace Brigades International Annual Review 2022
PBI published its 2022 International Annual Review, reflecting upon the challenges facing environmental and human rights defenders around the world, and the impact of their work and PBI’s activities in Latin America, Kenya, Nepal and Indonesia.
The increased militarisation of public security and widespread smearing of defenders were two of the dynamics that affected the ability of activists to work effectively across the regions and communities where PBI operates.
Actor mapping in Kayole, Kibra and Mathare
To be safe and effective in defending human rights it is important to know the context you work in.
Investing in improving relations between Police and Civil society
From March until the end of 2024, PBI Kenya together with Kayole Community Justice Centre, Kibera Social Justice Centre and the Mathare Network (Ghetto Foundation, Ruaraka Community Justice Centre, Kiamaiko Community Justice Centre and Mathare Social Justice Centre) will set in motion a project to improve relationships and dialogue between HRDs, citizens and security forces in their respective areas.
Missing Voices: Accountability Now
The Missing Voices 2022 Annual Report Accountability now was launched on 24 March 2023, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. Missing Voices documented 130 cases of police killings and 22 cases of enforced disappearances in 2022, bringing the total number to 152.
Investing in improving relations between government and civil society in three urban settlements
From March until the end of 2024, PBI Kenya together with Kayole Community Justice Centre, Kibera Social Justice Centre and the Mathare Network (Ghetto Foundation, Ruaraka Community Justice Centre, Kiamaiko Community Justice Centre and Mathare Social Justice Centre) will set in motion a project to improve relationships and dialogue between HRDs, citizens and security forces in their respective areas. This is supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), zivik Funding Programme.
How Kenyan artists are fighting police abuses
A group of Kenyan artists affected by extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances is using its talents to spotlight the abuses. They speak truth to power, risking their lives to bring a just society.