Relocation Initiatives and Their Impact on Home Communities: Case Study of Kenyan Human Rights Defenders

Abstract

Kenyan Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are engaged in many different fields, including sexual orientation and gender identity, women and children rights, reproductive health, police killings and corruption. Their work exposes them as well as their home communities to threats, trauma and stress and has led to stigmatisation and loss of status in some cases. Therefore, defenders seek and are offered temporary relocations, where they are placed for a limited period of time in order to rest, build up capacity, extend their network and continue their work while being away and after returning home. This study focuses on the impact of temporary relocation programmes on HRDs’ home communities, an aspect that is often overlooked. The study is mainly based on data from a focus group discussion and individual interviews in 2019/2020 with 16 defenders, seven family members and seven NGO practitioners who assisted the defenders in the relocation process. The data shows that the home community mainly benefits from psychosocial well-being and safety improvements, knowledge sharing, new contacts and capacity building of the HRDs after returning home. Main challenges were related to unrealistic expectations of the home community, especially in financial terms, negative profiling due to association with controversial political affairs, strenuous application processes and socio-economic challenges as a consequence of the HRD being away. The study closes with practical recommendations to strengthen the home community, among others by engaging more with the HRD’s home community throughout the process and involving alumni in the programmes.