Activist in danger? You are now just a tap away to safety

For human rights defender facing security threats, help will soon be just a tap away with a secure, encrypted app dedicated to fast response and ensuring activists’ safety.

Defenders Coalition has revamped and expanded the Mtetezi mobile application, transforming it into a powerful digital lifeline for reporting threats and human rights violations in real time.

Originally designed as a specialised election-monitoring tool, Mtetezi, meaning defender, has been upgraded into a broader platform. It allows Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) across Kenya — and potentially in other countries — to securely report incidents affecting the rights and safety of individuals and communities, regardless of context.

The lobby’s intervention, especially useful for dedicated Gen Zs, comes as human rights defenders, especially agitators for queer rights, increasingly face dangers both from government agents and an intolerant public.

“Defenders Coalition successfully completed the revamp and expansion of the Mtetezi application, transforming it from a specialised election monitoring tool into a broader, more powerful platform for reporting human rights violations,” the organisation said in its quarterly report.

The lobby is a prominent civil society group working to protect and promote the rights of individuals and groups advancing human rights. It provides legal aid, emergency support, training, and advocacy for defenders, especially those in hostile or politically sensitive spaces.

The new version of Mtetezi enables users to securely document and submit details of threats or abuses. Its design incorporates enhanced encryption, location tagging, and automated alert features notifying support networks for a rapid response. The app is being positioned as a critical tool for frontline defenders working in high-risk environments where traditional reporting mechanisms are either too slow or inaccessible.

Defenders Coalition says the new app’s development comes at a time when Kenya’s HRDs face increasing threats, harassment, and intimidation. Times are especially dangerous for those working on sensitive issues such as land rights, governance, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental justice.

“The upgraded Mtetezi now enables Human Rights Defenders across Kenya and beyond to securely report incidents affecting the rights and safety of individuals and communities, regardless of the context,” it says.

It is a secure, fast, and discreet means of communication and documentation.

In the next quarter, Defenders Coalition plans to launch a piloting phase to test the application in real-world conditions. It will focus on evaluating the app’s functionality, gathering feedback from users, and making technical improvements to optimise the platform.

“Looking ahead, Defenders Coalition is preparing to roll out a piloting phase in the coming quarter,” the report reads, “This phase will help test the application’s functionality, gather user feedback, and ensure the platform is well-optimised for use in various thematic contexts.”

The pilot is expected to involve HRDs from diverse backgrounds and regions, ensuring the app’s usability reflects the realities of both urban and rural defenders.