human rights defender

Willis Otiende

Urgent support needed

After being released and being subjected to torture, he has not stopped feeling pain on his abdomen despite having received treatment after release. This pain is especially prevalent when breathing.

He also has an issue with his ear where he sometimes feels his ear is blocked.

Also, he has had recurring rushes on his private area and it is suspected that it was due to the liquid they poured on him while in detention.

The HRD would therefore need urgent medical intervention to address these issues.

Organization affiliation

  • Manyatta B Social Centre

HRD's year of birth

2000

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Social and community leader

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Digital rights
  • Disability rights
  • Economic, social and cultural rights
  • Environmental rights
  • Fight against corruption
  • Fight against impunity
  • Land rights
  • LGBTIQ+ rights
  • Women's rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

Released

HRD's bio and work

Willis Otiende is a community organiser, human rights defender, climate justice advocate, and children's rights champion from Manyatta B Ward, Kisumu. He serves on the Manyatta B Ward Climate Change Planning Committee, volunteers at the Manyatta B Social Justice Centre, and contributes to the Kisumu Peace and Accountability Advocates. His work advances ecological justice, human rights, peace and governance, and art for social change through grassroots organising, civic engagement, and community-led advocacy.

Detained since

Jul 17, 2025

Date of release

Jul 18, 2025

Charge(s)

  • Creating disturbances
  • Damage to public property
  • Possession of illegal material
  • Threatening national security

Sentence

Was never charged

Latitude: 0.10433

Longitude: 34.7567

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa

Location of detention - City/Town

Kisumu

Location of detention - Facility

Kisumu Central Police Station

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

He was hit on his private parts using guns. Some officers were also kicking him using their boots.

After being put in the police cells, he was further assaulted by a different officer who wanted to force him take a picture.

Recent case update / evolution

Was taken to court after being tortured in custody. He was never charged but eventually released without any charge

Documented by