Human Rights activist Okiya Omtatah has won himself a major award following the efforts he has been showing in defending human rights. Omtatah was recognized with a Lifetime Achivement award.
The award was accorded by a panel of eminent Kenyans chaired by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga at the Belgium Embassy in Nairobi.
A panel of eminent Kenyans chaired by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has honoured rights activist Okiya Omtatah with a Lifetime Human Rights Defender Achivement award. pic.twitter.com/box6iSLc3J
— CIVIC EDUCATIONKE (@CivicEducationK) December 2, 2018
Besides, Omtatah scooped the Popular Vote award in the annual ceremony organised by National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Kenya and the Working Group on Human Defenders.
The organizers also feted Anastacia Nambo and Is’shaq Abubakar as the 2018 Human Rights Defender of the year award.
#Congrats to the 2018 Human Rights Defenders Awards winners:
Human Rights Defender of the Year: Anastacia Nambo and Is’haq Abubakar
Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year: Christine Kandie
Munir Mazrui Lifetime achievement: Okiya Omtatah #HRDAwardsKE #StandUp4HumanRights pic.twitter.com/slS3NOt8gs— Belgium in Kenya (@BelgiuminKenya) December 2, 2018
The award is a recognition of extraordinary work of human rights defenders who face a myriad of challenges in their calling.
In the words of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Executive Director Kanau Ngugi”The award ceremony is a special occasion for these courageous individuals who do excellent work within our community”.
On his part, Belgium Ambassador to Kenya Nicolas Nihon added that his country strongly believes in human rights as a corner stone for democracy.
Anastacia started her human rights work in 2009 when a Metal Refinery was established in the Uhuru Owino slums with adverse effects on the local community.
However, active advocacy and lobbying by Anastacia and her community bore fruit in 2014 with the closure of the refinery.
This came at a cost as she had to endure verbal attacks, threats through texts and attempts to break into her home forcing her to seek asylum in Uganda.
Is’shaq, a public relations manager and a co-founder of Save Lamu has been teaching the community on the environmental impact of the LAPSET Project and seeking legal redress for the locals which has earned him threats and police harassment.
Another rights crusader Christine Kandie won the Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year award for advocating for the land rights of Endorois women.