@Defenders Coalition 🇰🇪

#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 defenderscoalition.org

COURT UPDATE: PETER KOMORA'S SENTENCING POSTPONED!

Today at the Kilifi Law Courts, the sentencing of Peter Komora in Criminal Case No. E214 of 2020 was scheduled to take place before Hon. J.N. Mwaniki, Chief Magistrate. However, the court postponed the sentencing to 16th November 2026, on the ground that the probation report is yet to be submitted.

In 2020, Komora, a prominent environmental and land human rights defender from Kilifi County, was arrested in connection with a wildlife-related incident involving two elephant tusks. He was charged under Section 95 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, CAP. 376. He maintains that his involvement arose from collaboration with a community resource person associated with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in efforts to apprehend suspected wildlife offenders. Following years of proceedings, the court found him guilty on 29th October 2026.

The Defenders Coalition reiterates that the right to defend human rights is protected under Kenya’s constitutional and international human rights framework. The Constitution guarantees fair-trial protections and access to justice, while recognising the importance of environmental protection and the right of communities to seek legal remedies when their rights are threatened.

We thank all human rights defenders and human rights organizations for standing in solidarity with Peter Komora.

The Judiciary is now the new arena for persecution of Activists. Land Rights Defender and Kilifi community activist Peter Komora will be sentenced on Monday, 9 November 2026 at Kilifi Law Court over a trumped-up charge. Sadly, the court accepts a police fabricated charge of possession of narcotics that is aimed at silencing this vocal rights defender. Let’s join in court solidarity and condemn persecution of activists who defend their communities.

COURT TO SENTENCE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER PETER KOMORA, 9TH NOVEMBER

Defenders Coalition stands in solidarity with Peter Komora, an environmental human rights defender(HRD) from Kilifi County who awaits sentencing on Monday, 9 November 2026, at Kilifi Law Courts.

Peter has spent over a decade advocating for community land rights and environmental protection.

On 29 October 2026, Peter was convicted of possessing wildlife trophies in a case dating back to 2020, despite maintaining that his involvement arose from efforts to apprehend suspected poachers in collaboration with individuals linked to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

His conviction raises serious concerns about the risks confronting frontline individuals who defend community land and mobilize communities to advocate for environmental justice.

Defenders Coalition calls upon HRDs, civil society organisations, and partners to stand in solidarity with Peter Komora as he appears before the Kilifi Law Courts for sentencing on Monday, 9 November 2026.

#StandWithPeterKomora

''Journalists are frontline human rights defenders for their everyday work of promoting access to information for citizens who in turn utilize this to make informed decisions.

When journalists are threatened, assaulted, harassed online, arbitrarily arrested, intimidated, or prevented from reporting, it is not only an attack on the media. It is an attack on the public's right to know. It is an attack on transparency, accountability, and democracy itself.'' -Gloria Madegwa: Head of Progams and Strategic Partnerships ,Defenders Coalition

#mediacsoconference2026 #Electoralintegrity