‘Climb for Justice’ to ensure rights defenders’ safety

Though bloodied, harassed, surveilled – and lately, dying – human rights defenders could soon have a safe haven for support in Haki Village.

The Defenders Coalition hopes that a forthcoming trek of Mt Kilimanjaro will help raise funds to build a Sh50 million centre. 

Other climbs have raised Sh12.3 million, which has bought five acres to set up a permanent resource hub.

The sprawling, self-sustaining centre would be dedicated to the safety, psychosocial support, training, legal aid and economic empowerment of HRDs. The aim is to increase their resources and improve their resilience.

Founded in 2007, the Defenders Coalition is faced with increasing demand for its services.

Since then, the coalition has stood beside thousands of HRDs countrywide, from the windswept villages of Marsabit to the dense informal settlements of Kibera.

Called ‘Climb for Justice’, the initiative has been ongoing and activists have rejigged it, with the planned hike to Mt Kilimanjaro. The aim is to rally support and raise funds for the centre.

The increasing risks that HRDs face and the immense demand for services by HRDs mean the coalition must diversify funding sources for sustainability, hence Climb for Justice and the goal of a permanent hub, Haki Village.

These defenders work in often dangerous conditions, speaking truth to power, confronting inequality, and protecting the vulnerable in their communities.

The lobby helps to source cash bail for human rights defenders arbitrarily arrested and arrange for lawyers to stand by to help them. 

The coalition is an essential contact for rights activists and journalists – organising  capacity-building sessions for activists and focusing on grassroots defenders in far-flung areas. Most have limited opportunities for exposure, training, or funding.

The lobby has helped broaden the scope of activism to include issues such as climate justice, women’s rights, land rights, sexual minority rights and broader governance issues.

The initiative to develop Haki Village started on August 13, 2019, when the coalition launched the Climb for Justice campaign.

The hub is to be a resource centre to safeguard the rights of HRDs and a centre for creativity, research, training and wellness.

Kamau Ngugi is executive director of the National Coalition of Human Rights defenders.

“Climb for Justice… Climbing for Human Rights and Justice in Kenya is rooted in Defenders Coalition’s ongoing work on consolidation and expanding to benefit more people,” a coalition statement said.

The campaign encourages all people to support human rights by taking part in adventurous excursions, wellness and personal achievements of health goals.

The coalition says it has received overwhelming support from Kenyans and friends of HRDs and over 1,200 supporters have hiked various destinations to help raise funds. 

Destinations include Mt Longonot, Elephant Hill, William Hill, Eburru Forest, Ngong Hills, Le Satima, Ragia, Keraita, Table Mountain, Kanunga Falls and Kudu Hills. 

In December 2019, some 32 supporters climbed Mt Kenya and in March 2022, another 17 did the same.

In February 2021, 24 Kenyans climbed Mt Kilimanjaro.

Four years later, the coalition says, more than 1,200 hikers have trekked in more than 15 destinations, raising Sh12.3 million toward creating the centre.

“It is a commitment to strengthening our support for the individuals in every village of this country who put their lives on the line to protect the constitution and human rights, despite the risks they face,” the lobby said.

“We are keen to set up a Human Rights Defenders Centre, a vibrant space for those committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of all the Kenyan people as enshrined in our constitution.”