Coast environmental campaigners have called for a review of the convictions of two Kilifi land and environmental defenders, accusing authorities and private interests of using the courts to silence people who stand up for public land and wildlife.

The Environment Rights Organization Network (Erog) raised the cases at a meeting in Mombasa on Friday marking its 10th anniversary, after the two activists were convicted in the past week, The Star reported on Monday.

The two cases

Peter Komora, a Malindi-based rights defender, was convicted on October 29 by the Mariakani Law Courts of possessing two elephant tusks, according to The Star. He was acquitted on a separate charge of dealing in wildlife trophies. Sentencing is set for November 9.

Erog says Komora had supported the Marereni community on land rights and took part in anti-poaching efforts, including a sting operation with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) meant to catch suspected poachers, Jumuiya News reported. The group questions whether his role in that operation was properly considered during the trial.

David Katana, who has led beach clean-ups and campaigns against the alleged grabbing of public beaches, has been in remand since 2024 and was found guilty by a Kilifi magistrate's court. Erog says the charges, which included trespass, were brought by a private developer after he opposed an alleged plan to take public land for a private resort.

"This is a clear case of framing and a classic example of a defender being silenced with trumped-up charges," Erog chair Rashid Mohamed said.

Bribe claim

Mohamed said a claim that one of the defenders was asked for Sh300,000 had not been investigated. "The bribery allegation remains uninvestigated," he said.

Erog Uganda member Jennifer Baitwamasa asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and KWS to look into the extortion claim. "No defender should have to buy justice," she said, urging supporters to attend Komora's sentencing at Mariakani.

In its earlier statement, the network also asked KWS to explain its role in Komora's case and to offer an apology and redress if any institutional failure is established. KWS, the developer and the courts have not publicly responded to the claims. The convictions stand unless overturned on appeal or review.

A wider pattern

The activists cited global figures to show the risks defenders face. According to Global Witness, more than 1,900 land and environmental defenders have been killed worldwide over the past decade, with impunity above 95 per cent in most places where attacks happen in the Global South.

The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders has recorded more than 50 cases of judicial harassment of land and environmental defenders in Kenya in the past year, according to the group.

Erog is asking authorities to use lawful channels, including review, bail and appeal, to re-examine both cases, and wants stronger legal protection for people defending community land, public beaches and natural resources.

Photos: The Star/Brian Otieno (Erog members at the Mombasa workshop); Jumuiya News (Peter Komora). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.