Activists Boniface Mwangi, Hussein Khalid, and Hanifa Adan were honored during the Human Rights Defenders Coalition awards held at the Danish Embassy in Nairobi on Friday.
The three, known for their relentless fight for human rights, especially during the Gen Z protests, received the prestigious Human Rights Defender of the Year awards.
Also recognized was Jackson Kuria, popularly known as Cop Shakur, a police officer who gained public attention for supporting protesters during the Gen Z demonstrations. Shakur received the People’s Choice Award during the ceremony.
Shakur, a prison warden attached to Kamiti Medium Prison, had been suspended after joining the protests. He was arrested while demonstrating outside the Parliament Building, an act that resonated with many Kenyans.
Videos shared online showed him wearing a blood-stained white dust coat and holding a placard amid the rain outside the Senate gate, where he and his supporters faced off with security officers.
The June 25 protests had seen Parliament Road heavily guarded after demonstrators breached security, with protesters blocking access and engaging in a push-and-pull with officers.
Shakur was eventually dragged to the Parliament police cells. However, he was later reinstated and has since resumed his duties.
In his acceptance speech, Shakur expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the sacrifices made by Kenyans in the fight for justice. “I am honoured to receive this award, but I am saddened as it comes from the fight that led to the deaths of many Kenyans who sought a better future,” he said.
Boniface Mwangi echoed similar sentiments, urging Kenyans to continue their fight for change. “The fight continues. Kenyans are still angry. We will fight until it all stops. Viva!” Mwangi declared.
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition awards aim to celebrate individuals and groups who champion justice and freedom in the face of adversity.
