The Defenders Coalition has announced plans to appeal the convictions of two land and environmental rights defenders from Kilifi County, raising concerns over the potential impact of the cases on communities advocating for land rights and environmental justice.
In a press statement dated October 30, 2026, the organisation expressed concern over the convictions of Peter Komora and Katana Juma, who were found guilty in separate criminal cases.
Komora was convicted on October 29, 2026, following a case linked to a wildlife-related incident involving two elephant tusks in 2020.
According to the organisation, Komora maintained that his involvement arose from working alongside a community resource person associated with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in efforts to apprehend suspected wildlife offenders.
Meanwhile, Katana Juma was convicted on October 28, 2026, in Criminal Case No. E987 of 2024 over charges of trespassing on private property and felling trees.
The organisation said the circumstances surrounding the two cases raise concerns about the risks faced by environmental defenders, particularly those documenting land disputes, monitoring developments and supporting communities seeking legal remedies.
However, it acknowledged that any alleged connection between the criminal proceedings and the underlying land disputes requires careful assessment against court records and other verifiable evidence.
“The convictions of Peter Komora and David Katana Juma underscore the importance of ensuring that criminal justice processes are not used to discourage communities from defending their land, reporting environmental violations or pursuing public interest litigation,” the statement read.
The Defenders Coalition further emphasised that the right to defend human rights is protected under Kenya’s constitutional and international human rights frameworks.
It noted that the Constitution guarantees fair-trial protections and access to justice while recognising the importance of environmental protection and the right of communities to seek legal remedies when their rights are threatened.
The organisation urged relevant authorities to ensure that the cases involving the two defenders are subjected to appropriate legal scrutiny and that both individuals are allowed to exercise their rights under the law.
It also reaffirmed its solidarity with land and environmental defenders, insisting that communities should be able to pursue justice without fear of retaliatory criminal proceedings.
The statement comes amid ongoing concerns about the protection of human rights defenders in Kenya, particularly those involved in land rights, environmental conservation and community advocacy.
