Haki Africa Celebrates 10 Years of Fighting for Rights Across Kenya

Haki Africa marked its 10th anniversary with celebrations in Mombasa County, recognizing a decade of human rights work across Kenya that has contributed to reduced extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances nationwide.

The organisation held its anniversary celebrations at PrideInn Resort in Mombasa County, gathering survivors, officials, and community advocates to reflect on ten years of work and the challenges still ahead.

Haki Africa Mombasa Marks 10 Years of Measurable Progress

Executive Director Yusuf Abubakar told the press that the organisation has recorded tangible progress in reducing abuses across the country.

“We have seen that incidences of extrajudicial killings have started to decrease. Enforced disappearances are starting to decrease,” Abubakar said. “We have even seen improvement in the behaviour of police dealing with citizens.”

In addition, Abubakar pointed to progress on land rights. He said years of advocacy had pushed the government to take squatter settlements seriously. A process is now underway to raise funds for land purchase to settle affected communities across Kenya, especially the coast.

However, Abubakar was clear that the work is not finished. “We haven’t finished with these cases yet, but we’ve seen that we’ve been able to make progress in ensuring these rights are protected,” he said.

Lives Rescued: The Human Stories Behind a Decade of Work

The anniversary brought together several people whose cases Haki Africa had handled directly across the country.

Lucia Nekesa, who applied to work in Qatar in 2019 but ended up stranded in war-torn Iraq in deplorable conditions. Haki Africa traced her through government officials responsible for migrant workers and secured her return. Nekesa appeared at the anniversary celebrations in good health.

Meanwhile, Jason Ombati lost his son during the 2024 Gen Z protests. Haki Africa pursued his case and sought compensation for the family. Ombati attended the anniversary to thank the organisation publicly for standing with him.

In addition, Ali Omar told of his brother Obo, a fisherman from Kiunga in Lamu East, whom armed and masked men abducted from his home in September last year. No arrests followed. Omar searched police stations across eight towns without a single lead.

“When my brother was abducted, I went all over seeking help and unfortunately found none,” Omar said. Eight months after Haki Africa took up the case, Obo returned home. Authorities offered no explanation of where he had been or who had held him.

Leaders Celebrate Haki Africa but Warn Gains Remain Fragile

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir told the gathering that organisations like Haki Africa strengthen democratic values across Kenya. “Their work reminds us that sustainable development must be anchored on dignity, inclusion, and respect for fundamental freedoms,” Nassir said.

However, former Executive Director Hussein Khalid warned that the anniversary comes at a difficult moment for rights organisations nationally. “Human rights organisations are being targeted and are in a situation that is not good,” Khalid said. He pointed to what he described as politically-organised gang activity undermining security and civic space in Kenya.

Meanwhile, Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki said the gains, while real, remain fragile across the country. He cited a recent incident in Garissa where officers shot a man already in handcuffs.

“Although we have made progress, we have not yet been able to fight this wound of human rights injustices properly, because incidents continue to occur every month, every day,” Faki said.

Furthermore, Faki raised concern about Kenyans trafficked into conditions resembling slavery abroad. He also cited a recent incident in Bamburi where a gang of nearly 100 men armed with machetes invaded farms within metres of a police station.

“Step by step, yes, we have obtained some rights, but a lot needs to be done,” Faki said.

As Haki Africa enters its second decade, the organisation said its focus on extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, land rights, and migrant worker protection across Kenya will continue.