Mama Victor: A Beacon of Justice Silenced By Tragedy, yet Immortalized In Legacy

Benna Buluma, affectionately known as Mama Victor, was a trailblazer in Kenya’s Social Justice Movement, was posthumously honored with a prestigious Human Rights Defender Award at an event hosted by the Denmark Embassy in Nairobi, organized by the Defenders Coalition. The award, part of the 2024 Human Rights Defender Awards, recognized her extraordinary courage and advocacy for justice and accountability in Kenya, particularly for victims of police brutality and extrajudicial killings.

Mama Victor’s activism was born out of personal tragedy. In 2017, she lost her two sons, Victor and Bernard, to extrajudicial killings by the police. After the tragic loss of her two sons to police violence, Mama Victor Turned her grief into activism, she joined the Social Justice Centers Working Group and co-founded the Mothers of Victims and Survivors Network, a platform that amplifies the voices of families affected by police impunity. Her work extended to grassroots communities in Nairobi, including Kibera, Dandora, Mukuru and Mathare, where she empowered others to seek justice and demand systemic change.

Despite facing personal risks and systemic obstacles, Mama Victor’s resilience and leadership left an indelible mark on Kenya’s human rights landscape. Tragically, she passed away in April 2024, becoming a victim of Nairobi’s unmanaged floodwaters. Her untimely death underscored the broader systemic failures she consistently fought against. Her death highlighted the systemic failures she fought against, including negligence in managing public infrastructure. The timing was particularly poignant, she was expected to attend the launch of the Missing Voices Coalition report on extrajudicial killings on the day she died.

Her tireless advocacy extended beyond mourning her sons. Mama Victor organized community dialogue and protests to engage with policymakers, and partnered with grassroots organizations to highlight the need for systemic reform. Through her leadership, MVSN became a platform for collective healing and resistance, amplifying the voices of families whose stories might otherwise be silenced. Her unrelenting focus on justice inspired many, even as she faced threats and intimidation in her fight against powerful structures.

This award not only honors her legacy but also highlights the continued need for justice and accountability in Kenya. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by human rights defenders and the importance of sustaining their work.

The Leadership of the Social Justice Movement through their communications coordinator  emphasized its commitment to carrying forward her mission and ensuring her efforts inspire lasting change.