Rights agencies will soldier on despite obstacles

Kenya Human Rights Commission Executive Director George Kegoro addressing participants during a media briefing at Norfolk hotel in Nairobi on November 12, 2015. From the outset KHRC set the standards by its boldness, documentation, thinking and demands. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • KHRC possessed the ability to challenge, confront and hold the Kanu regime accountable.
  • The need to speak truth to power is as urgent today as it was when KHRC was founded and they, and others, will not be found wanting.

At a time when human rights organisations are again experiencing harassment, intimidation and vilification, it is good to recall how difficult it was for those same groups to get recognition when founded a quarter of a century ago.

The Independent Medico Legal Unit (Imlu) was born in an emergency as a response to the legal and medical trials that victims of state torture underwent in western Kenya when accused of membership of the Mwakenya movement.

Dr Ling Kituyi ran Imlu from her medical practise in Westlands while seeking legal cover under the Bungoma Professionals.

It was only with the arrival of the Kibaki administration in 2003 that we, board members, celebrated the eventual registration of the anti-torture group.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) also had very humble beginnings seeking refuge at South B Catholic Church until it found resources to move into more permanent premises.

Maina Kiai led the group then ably assisted by ex-political prisoners Odenda Lumumba, Wafula Buke and the late Njuguna Mutahi.

From the outset KHRC set the standards by its boldness, documentation, thinking and demands.

KHRC possessed the ability to challenge, confront and hold the Kanu regime accountable.

It spoke truth to power in a way that others wanted but did not dare.

RIGHT TO SPEAK
Twenty five years later KHRC remains the premier human rights organisation in Kenya.

It is once again experiencing threats from another anti-democratic regime that uses the NGOs Coordination Board to vilify, smear and lie about the organisation, its staff and board where I feel honoured to sit.

Thankfully, few take Fazul Mohamed seriously since the Commission of Administration for Justice revealed that he never graduated from Egerton University and as a result was unqualified to hold the CEO position.

But that apparently does not matter to the Executive who advanced his docket to Internal Security even when CS Mwangi Kiunjuri tried to remove him from office.

Regretfully, the media — including this publication — still publish his disparaging, defamatory statements as if they come from a credible and reliable source.

Four board members of KHRC are columnists with Nation Media Group but none were given the chance to show that we do not receive a single shilling in remuneration, allowances or by any other name for serving on the board.

The joy of comradeship, working for change and holding institutions accountable is our reward.

Institutions resist change and find many ways to silence, buy or intimidate individuals and organisations whose demands for accountability, honesty and decency they resent.

The philosopher Voltaire said 200 years ago, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

TRUTH

You will not find that level of tolerance anywhere in Kenyan leadership today. 

Leonard da Vinci said, “Those whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death”.

That integrity and commitment inspired the establishment of KHRC, Imlu and others.

They have stood the test of time and will not be cowed by these latest puerile threats.

The need to speak truth to power is as urgent today as it was when KHRC was founded and they, and others, will not be found wanting.

[email protected]. @GabrielDolan1