Official Website of Haki na Sheria Initiative - Justice, Legal Aid, and Advocacy
Who We Are
About Haki Na Sheria Initiative (HSI)
The HSI Story: As told by Founder Yussuf Bashir
Haki Na Sheria is a leading human rights organization operating in Northern Kenya along the Kenya-Somalia border. Our mission is to dismantle systemic discrimination and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.
Our Origins
The seeds of HSI were sown in 2010 by a group of Kenyan Somali law students at the University of Nairobi. Hailing from Garissa, we recognized a pivotal moment in history during the run-up to the promulgation of the Kenyan Constitution.
We saw a unique opportunity to:
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Organize and raise awareness at a critical juncture for our people.
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Redress a history of gross human rights violations.
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Reimagine a future defined by justice and prosperity for our children.
Following a successful campaign where Kenyans voted overwhelmingly for the new Constitution, we officially registered HSI as a Community Based Organisation (CBO) in Garissa.
Growth and Recognition
Our early years were defined by rapid growth and unexpected alliances. Through the support of mentors like the late Adam Hussein (OSIEA), our members received scholarships to the East Africa Human Rights Education Programme in Uganda, gaining the vital skills needed to scale our impact.
In 2017, HSI reached a major milestone, upgrading to a national organization registered with the NGO Coordination Board.
The Fight for Citizenship Rights
Our work is deeply personal. We naturally gravitated toward citizenship rights because of the "horror stories" we shared regarding the struggle to acquire ID cards at eighteen. For many Kenyan Somalis, the government bureaucracy treats belonging as a "favor" rather than a right, often using derogatory labels like shifta (bandit) or "refugee."
The Vetting Challenge: Unlike other Kenyan communities, young Kenyan Somalis must face a security vetting committee at age eighteen. This process is:
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Unstructured and lacks an appeals mechanism.
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Designed to reinforce a "second-class citizen" status.
Our Impact Today
To combat this capricious system, we established our Paralegal Programme. By equipping young Somalis with the skills to navigate bureaucratic hurdles, we empower the next generation to fight for ethnic equality.
Today, the original vision of our founders remains our North Star. HSI continues to be led by one of those original law students, ensuring our grassroots mission remains at the heart of our national advocacy.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Values
Based on the narrative of HSI's growth and activities, the organization is guided by these five pillars:
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Justice and Equity: At the heart of HSI is a commitment to redressing historical wrongs and ensuring the law works for the marginalized, not just the privileged.
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Empowerment: Specifically through their "Paralegal Programme," they believe in giving citizens the tools and knowledge to navigate complex bureaucratic systems themselves.
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Integrity and Courage: Founded by students who spoke out against "second-class citizenship," the organization values the courage to challenge capricious government systems and derogatory narratives.
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Community-Rootedness: HSI maintains a "community-based approach," ensuring that solutions are born from the lived experiences of the people in Garissa, Tana River, and Lamu.
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Inclusivity: Fighting against ethnic profiling and vetting processes to ensure that "Kenyan-ness" is an equal right for all, regardless of tribe or region.
Our Experts
At Haki na Sheria our strength lies in our people. Our team is a dynamic mix of passionate human rights defenders, legal professionals, community paralegals, researchers, program officers and advocacy specialists who bring expertise and lived experience to our work.
Yussuf Bashir
Executive Director
Mia Simovic
Program Advisor
Keren Weitzberg
Board Member
Khasida Abdullahi
Program Manager
Our Approach
Empowering from the Roots
At Haki na Sheria, we believe that justice should not be a luxury reserved for those who can afford a lawyer. Our philosophy is built on the concept of Legal Empowerment, which shifts the power from the state bureaucracy back to the individual. We recognize that the "vetting committees" and administrative hurdles faced by communities in Northern Kenya thrive on a lack of information.
By establishing and sustaining a robust Paralegal Network, we provide more than just legal advice; we provide a shield. Our paralegals are members of the community who speak the local language and understand the local context. They demystify the law, helping citizens navigate the capricious systems of acquiring IDs, birth certificates, and land titles. We don’t just win cases; we build a legally literate population capable of demanding their own dignity.
Strategic Litigation and Policy Reform
While individual legal aid saves lives, Strategic Litigation changes the future. Haki na Sheria’s approach is rooted in the belief that systemic discrimination—such as the ethnic profiling of Kenyan Somalis—requires a systemic response. We use the Kenyan Constitution as our primary tool for transformation.
We identify "test cases" that represent the collective struggle of the community and bring them before the High Court and regional human rights bodies. Our philosophy is that one successful court ruling can dismantle decades of discriminatory policy. By combining rigorous Action Research with courtroom advocacy, we provide the evidence needed to force state actors to reform the vetting processes and land laws that have historically marginalized the North.
Ready to Advance Justice in Northern Kenya?
Whether you are seeking legal assistance from our paralegals, interested in partnering for strategic litigation, or want to support our advocacy for inclusive citizenship—your engagement makes a difference.
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