Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

21 January 2011

Since November 2010, human rights defender Mr Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku has reportedly been subjected to a campaign of threats and harassment including detention, break-ins and public stigmatisation, most recently on 13 January 2011.

Further Information

Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku is the Programme Coordinator of the Muungano Family Empowerment Programme (MFEP), based in Bungoma. He has actively denounced the financial exploitation of youths by illegal coffee traders in Kenya and Uganda.

It is reported that the threats against Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku relate primarily to his advocacy on behalf of the victims of an alleged police attack on coffee traders on 24 October 2010 near the River Lwakhaka, in the district of Mount Elgon on the Kenyan-Ugandan border, in which a number of individuals, among them juveniles, were reportedly assaulted and some killed.

The instances of harassment against Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku started in November 2010 immediately after MFEP intervention in the above-mentioned case. They have included public stigmatisation and death threats from public officials, break-ins, and an arrest.

Most recently, 13 January 2011, Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku received the last of a long series of threats when a district criminal investigating officer (DCIO) from Mt. Elgon called him promising to deal with him and accusing him of disappearing with the compensation due to torture victims. The same call was received by some of the victims as well as other human rights defenders.

On 5 January 2011, Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku’s house was broken into by unknown individuals. He was not at home but his brother was seriously injured as a result of the break-in. No arrests have been made by the police in this regard; it is reported that a local police officer has stated that Wilberforce Wanyama Lumuku “does not need the police” as he “wants them arrested” and, thus, should protect himself.

On 3 January 2011, the District Commissioner of Bungoma West reportedly referred to Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku during a public meeting and warned that his days were numbered. The previous day, 2 January 2011, it is reported that a named police officer, a Corporal from Nalondo Camp, ordered an MFEP monitor to inform Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku of his “new year resolution” which would be “dealing with” him.

Previously, on 18 December 2010, the MFEP moved their offices to a new location due to constant harassment from local police in Bungoma West towards members of the MFEP and the torture victims they have been representing.

On 13 December 2010, the offices of MFEP were broken into and vandalised, and equipment including computers, files, and the members’ register stolen. The interior of the office was vandalised with livestock blood and meat. The police reportedly concluded that members of MFEP had stolen livestock, slaughtered and divided it in the building, and that some, unsatisfied with improper division of the loot, had decided to steal the missing articles.

This incident took place two days after the publication of an article on coffee smuggling in Bungoma province in the “Standard” newspaper which referred to the 24 October police attack on coffee traders. Following publication of the article, Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku reported that he was accused by public officials of working to discredit the government, although the allegations were not legally formalised.

On 8 November 2010, the District Commissioner of the Bungoma West region reportedly convened an urgent public meeting near the former offices of the MFEP in which he publicly issued threats against Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku, stating that his “days are numbered”.

On 5 November 2010, Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku was arrested at the offices of the MFEP, purportedly on instructions from the Minister for Internal Security. The police reportedly refused to register his arrest at Lwakhakha pole police post in Bungoma West, and he was subsequently taken to the Nalondo and Chepatis police stations.

It is reported that a call went out to all police officers in order to inform them that Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku was their “enemy” and wanted them “sacked”, and advising them to “deal with” him wherever the chance would arise. While in custody at Nalondo Camp, Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku was openly threatened by the aforementioned named police Corporal.

Following 13 hours in custody, Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku was subsequently released in Sirisia Market, some 12 kilometers from the location of his original arrest, following the intervention of journalists and human rights monitors who had been trailing the police vehicle in which Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku was being transported.

Front Line believes that the continued harassment, threats, stigmatisation and arrest of Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku are directly related to his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights, particularly in relation to extrajudicial killings. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Wilberforce Wanyama Lumbuku.

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