CNN Africa Correspondent Larry Madowo has chosen Daniel Musyoka, co-founder of Equitable Futures Think Tank, to receive his Human Rights Defender of the Year Award 2025 donation.
Awarded as Human Rights Defender of the Year, Madowo received a cash prize of $1,000 (approximately Sh129,000).
Upon accepting the recognition, Madowo announced his intention to contribute the full amount to assist a Kenyan journalist who addresses community concerns.
Musyoka will utilize the funds to further his efforts in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities in Kenya.
Musyoka is acknowledged for his advocacy through the Equitable Futures Think Tank, where he concentrates on fostering inclusion and safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities.
The initiative seeks to enhance grassroots human rights work, especially among young advocates advocating for policy and social transformation in vulnerable communities.
According to the Defenders Coalition, Daniel Musyoka is a committed advocate and champion for disability inclusion in Kenya, with particular focus on including the deaf community.
He is a passionate sign language interpreter and also co-founded the Equitable Futures Think Tank, which concentrates on advancing disability mainstreaming, bridging communication gaps, and promoting inclusive practices across various sectors.
In his five years working with Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs), he has made substantial contributions through creative social media usage and incorporating acting and storytelling, which has helped simplify complex information and make it more accessible to deaf audiences.
Musyoka’s journey commenced in 2016 as a sign language interpreter, delivering breaking news and current affairs to the deaf community.
This ignited his passion for advocating inclusive communication, employing his skills to educate deaf individuals about their rights, available opportunities, and civic matters, ensuring no one is excluded due to communication barriers.
His work is based on a strong commitment to equality, accessibility, and the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Through the Meru Deaf Women Empowerment Self-Help Group, which he founded, he has supported deaf women in Meru County through social and economic empowerment.
The group has become a safe environment for women to learn, grow, and advocate for their rights, reflecting Musyoka’s faith in community-driven change.
Additionally, he has assisted deaf individuals in joining the Nyota Program, which has provided opportunities to access education and personal development, mentoring many young people and guiding them to become professionals who use digital platforms to earn a living.
Concentrating on language inclusion, accessibility, and representation of PWDs, Musyoka has reached over 1500 deaf youth, providing information on safety, health, and civic education.
Despite challenges such as limited resources, personal safety risks, and policy neglect, he has remained dedicated to advocating for PWD rights through digital advocacy, community mobilization, direct interpretation, and human rights education via content creation.