To celebrate Human Rights Defenders on Friday (Nov. 26), Willie Oeba received the prestigious Upcoming Human Rights Defender Award.

Winners at the Award Ceremony pose for a group photo, Willie Oeba 2nd Left

To celebrate Human Rights on Friday (Nov. 26), Willie Oeba received the prestigious Upcoming HRD Award for social justice, presented by the Working Group on HRDs, partner of Defenders Coalition KE, and diplomatic corps consisting of Sweden, France, Norway, Belgium, and the UK embassies.

The award honors Human rights defenders who use their platform to promote social justice and positive change. It was hosted at the Swedish Embassy Residence, Nairobi by Caroline Vicini the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya.

Swedish Ambassador Caroline Vicini

Oeba is an outspoken advocate for prison reform, voters’ rights, healthcare, governance, equality, defending democracy and education, among other causes. Working alongside VOG 254 Voices Guild guiding artists towards amplifying art for social change.

“I believe in the power of music and art to inspire us, to connect our hearts, to give voice to feelings for which words alone won’t suffice, to wake us up out of complacency, to galvanize and fuel social movements,” the poet said upon accepting his award. “Artists have a rich tradition of activism. We have a unique opportunity to reach people where they are, beyond political divisions, borders, and silos. And it’s been my privilege to use my voice and my platform to advance the cause of equity and justice.”

Oeba’s receiving the award from Ambassador Aline Kuster-Menagerthe French Diplomat.

He went on to highlight his most recent campaign, #HerDignitySanitaryDrive, fundraising sanitary pads for schools, communities, and prisons which works toward gender empowerment and healthcare reform. “As a citizen of Kenya, and of Nakuru City, I know that for far too long our most essential systems have served to perpetuate inequity and injustice,” he shared. “In order for us to create a just world those systems need to change.”

“With this award, we celebrate a multitude of advocates, generations of movement leaders who have put their shoulder to the wheel of progress,” he concluded. “I don’t stand here absorbing these accolades for myself. I stand here grateful for their ideas and their energy and honored that I can amplify their voices by using my platform.”

Willie Oeba with Kamau Ngugi Executive Director Defenders Coalition

"This award is not my reward, but a demonstration that the spoken word can be used to amplify voices, defend democracy & champion human rights I hope this first-ever recognition towards using spoken word & art to defend human rights inspires other young talented poets out there."