Hello World,

Today I start a Journal about my work in Kenya as a Human rights activists pushing for legislative reforms in the mental health system in Kenya.

I came back to Kenya after many years living in the US (in January of 2007) to establish an organization-MindFreedom Kenya, for the past two years much was accomplished in creating awareness about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities(UN CRPD) however the fight still continues.

Issues of human rights allover the world are cross cutting, and involves interactions with a wide array of agencies and governmental institutions. The fact in Kenya remains that, Kenya is a working state with failed Institutions and two options exist in Kenya,

1.To be part of the corrupt and impunity system or

2.To be the agitator against option 1, I chose option 2 which came with its consequences, meaning my work was always in the microscope of the government and its overzealous officials.

When my life certainly became in danger, I decided to seek safety and security in Suisse a right enshrined in International treaties and an accepted norm within the International community.

In December 11th-13th 2009, I was brutally tortured by the Kenyan police, during the torture ordeal it became more and more evident that I was being tortured because of my work as a human rights activist and for agitating for governmental reforms on human rights for persons with psychosocial disabilities.

There have been instances where I was followed by unknown persons, and sometimes being subtly told that I need to shut my mouth on issues to do with human rights. A university professor at the University of Nairobi after a World Bank forum whispered to me that my line of questioning in some projects where money was being funneled to benefit a few, could cause me serious problems... even death.

During the police torture, the police officers constantly reminded me that they were teaching me a lesson to learn how to shut my mouth. How else could one interpret such statements other than, for what it was? Not to agitate for reforms or that my activism was not welcome?

The fact that a landlord was involved in my situation more than likely by giving a bribe to the cops on behalf of powerful government officials indicates the delicate nature of governmental machinery in Kenya. These businesses are deeply rooted in government procurement contracts that give kick backs to government officials that approve contracts (Corruption and Nepotism). As such the government machinery uses such fronts to help shut voices that oppose human rights violations.

Under the advice of a legal counsel here in Switzerland, I sought humanitarian support to get medical help, safety and security. Under the circumstances presented in my situation, the option available to me under the international community’s accepted norms was to seek Asylum.

I need ear surgery to fix a hole in my eardrum sustained from the police beatings; numerous open wounds sustained from the torture and abuse are now slowly healing; I also require immediate attention for my broken foot, and a broken finger. Both injuries from torture at the hands of the police officers... My broken finger may need surgery to reconnect a broken tendon per Doctor’s recommendation. Lastly, as I suffered emotionally and was traumatized; my Doctor suspects “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” and has recommended extensive psychological therapy.

No amounts of words can express my current state of mind, whereas everything is in limbo as I await the Asylum process... I owe much to the Suisse government for what they have given me thus far, a safe and secure place to stay and medical attention they have thus far given me... Any challenges I face daily in the Asylum process comes with the title... Intentionally displaced for agitating for MindFreedom in Kenya for persons most marginalised in our society... persons with psychosocial disabilities... Mind Kenya, Mind Africa!