Boniface Mwangi, Hussein and Khalid have been awarded Human rights defenders of the year award.
This was during the Human rights defenders (HRD) Awards held at the Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
The three human rights defenders were jointly awarded the award, which was under the working group of the Human Rights Defenders in Kenya which brings together Civic Society Organizations and development partners concerned with the protection of HRDs.
Photo: Courtesy
The award was for the role they played in June-August Gen Z protests that were witnessed in Kenya in 2024.
They managed to lead Kenyans in advocating for the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.
Activist Boniface Mwangi was also recognized for his contributions towards good governance, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kenya.
Photo: Courtesy
Hussein on the other hand was awarded for his contribution in ensuring access of justice for survivors and families of victims of rights violations.
Photo: Courtesy
Hanifa was also honored for her dedication for the promotion of public integrity in Kenya.
Photo: Courtesy
During the award, Hanifa noted that she felt honored to have won the Human Rights Defender award and dedicated the award to each and every comrade that died during the Gen Z protest adding that they were heroes.
I am really shocked by this, but when I look back, it is because of the so many days and sleepless nights we spent during post-mortems and autopsies for the comrades that we lost in the protests.
Hussein Khalid said.
He therefore requested the congregation for a moment of silence for the deceased.
