News Kenya

From Silence to Justice: How Human Rights Monitoring Is Transforming Lives in Mombasa

For many LGBTIQA+ individuals in Mombasa County, the idea of seeking justice has long felt out of reach. While legal aid exists on paper, reality often tells a different story. Over time, this has created a climate of silence. But KIOS grantee Centre for Minority Rights and Strategic Litigation (CMRSL) is changing this one case at a time.

As Mustafa Aza, a human rights monitor with CMRSL, explains, many violations simply went unrecorded. People were reluctant to come forward, shaped by past experiences and a lack of trust in formal systems. Reports of violence or discrimination are frequently met with delays, indifference, or inaction, reinforcing the belief that speaking out may not lead to meaningful change.

“A lot of injustices were happening, but they weren’t being documented,” he says.

That silence had consequences, not only for individuals, but for the broader LGBTIQA+ community, where ongoing violations remained invisible and unaddressed.

First Steps Towards Justice

Mike (pseudonym) knows this reality firsthand.

After being violently attacked because of his perceived sexual orientation, he faced not only physical harm but also the humiliation and fear that such public acts of violence are intended to create. The attack was not random; it was meant as a warning to him and others. And like many, he did not initially believe that reporting the incident would lead to anything.

However, through a referral from a fellow LGBTIQA+ community member, Mike was connected to CMRSL. There, he accessed legal support for the first time. An advocate took the time to listen, explain his rights, and outline the steps he could take. That moment marked a shift.

A man sitting in a suit listening to and facing another man who is facing away from the camera. The picture is from the CMRSL legal aid services.
A man sitting at a table and talking to another person. There is a sign behind that says "LEGAL AID CLINICS". The picture is from the CMRSL legal aid services.

Pictures: CMRSL. Legal aid, not related to the case in this article.

“For the first time, I felt informed and empowered to pursue justice,” Mike recalls.

His case began to move forward. The perpetrators were apprehended, and although investigations are ongoing, the experience fundamentally changed his perception of what is possible.

Building Trust Through Monitoring

Stories like Mike’s are increasingly emerging as human rights monitoring strengthens across the coastal region in Kenya.

At first, Mustafa explains, building trust within the LGBTIQA+ community was not easy. People were hesitant to share their experiences, often doubting whether anything would come from it. But over time, consistent engagement grounded in confidentiality and respect, began to change that.

As more individuals started to come forward, the impact of documenting violations became visible. Cases were no longer isolated incidents; they formed a clearer picture of the patterns of abuse facing LGBTIQA+ communities. This, in turn, made it possible to act.

Joing human rights monitoring session with paralegals and community members. A small group of people sitting next to a table, listening to one person talk. There is a sign behind that says CMRSL.

Picture: CMRSL. A joint session with community monitors and paralegals on experiences and learnings from the field.

Through monitoring, individuals can be referred to legal aid services, giving them access to advocates who can support their cases. Others are connected to psychosocial support, which can be particularly important for those dealing with trauma from violence, eviction, or discrimination.

“Many community members go through experiences that deeply affect their mental health,” Mustafa notes. “Part of our work is making sure they are linked to support.”

From Silence to Action

Perhaps the most significant change is less tangible but just as important: people are beginning to speak.

Those who once felt unable to report violations are now reaching out, sometimes for the first time. A phone call, a message, a decision to share what happened. These are small but powerful steps.

“People are opening up and reporting real-time violations,” Mustafa says. “This allows us to respond and intervene.”

This shift is helping to build a growing sense of awareness and empowerment within the LGBTIQA+ community. Individuals are learning more about their rights and recognising when those rights are being violated.

Looking Ahead

Mike’s journey is still ongoing, but it reflects something larger than one case. It shows what becomes possible when access to legal support is combined with trusted community-based monitoring.

What begins as silence can turn into action. What feels like isolation can become support. And, as Mike puts it, no one should face violence and discrimination alone.

Through continued efforts in human rights monitoring and access to justice, that vision is slowly becoming more real for individuals, and for the wider LGBTIQA+ community in Mombasa.

Thank you to CMRLS for sharing this story with us and for continuing to defend LGBTIQA+ rights!