About Us

Based on our beliefs, MATESOF’s mission is advocacy for; stamping out torture in totality, seeking reparation and economic emancipation of torture survivors and establishing a center for treatment and counseling of the torture survivors and the families of the victims in Kenya.

Mwatikho Torture Survivors’ Foundation (MATESOF) was founded in 1992

Mwatikho Torture Survivors’ Foundation (MATESOF) was founded in 1992; in 1995 over 2000 victims were rounded up by the State on allegation of clandestine movements, leading to Detentions, Torture and extrajudicial killings; survivors opted to get medical support and that when MATESOF initiated the First rehabilitation Centre for torture survivors in Kenya. The Centre established the Network of Torture Survivors in the Country and stated offering rehabilitation services with help of Donors. All its members are torture survivors and families of the victims. New torture clients are allowed to join membership. Due to increasing strategic activities, we have further drawn in professionals both in health field and within the staff.

MATESOF is a registered Company by Guarantee Limited in January 2020. The Centre is registered in Kenya under the Companies Act 2015.It is non-political and non-profit making.

The organization is dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, with emphasis on the health and rehabilitation of victims of torture by security agencies and armed groups.

MATESOF was accredited by IRCT in 2007.

OUR OBJECTIVES
The immediate objectives of MATESOF are threefold, namely:
1. Improve the health status of torture survivors and other survivors of human rights, violation, especially from Police and Military brutality, violence by Non –State Actors, through provision of integral treatment and where necessary recommend referrals;
2. Raise awareness on mental health issues and contribute to the prevention of torture in Kenya through research, documentation, advocacy, lobbying, public education and training for community and stakeholders such as the security personnel;
3. Seek reparation for torture survivors by strengthening the litigation activities to ensure survivors get justice.

IMPLEMENTATION OF MATESOF ACTIVITIES

MATESOF provides comprehensive Rehabilitation services inclusive of holistic care (medical treatment, counseling and Litigation), with special focus on the following target groups: Primary and secondary victims of human rights violation.

MISSION

Based on our beliefs, MATESOF’s mission is advocacy for; stamping out torture in totality, seeking reparation and economic emancipation of torture survivors and establishing a center for treatment and counseling of the torture survivors and the families of the victims in Kenya.

VISION

To see Kenya join other world democracies that manifest: A world that is a torture free zone; with respect to human dignity.

SERVICE

• Consistently offer services to our clientele (torture victims); • Uphold excellence in performance; • Encourage teamwork and positive contribution from our motivated and innovative staff/volunteers/health professionals; • Observe good civil governance at all times; • Embrace internationally accepted conventions on torture.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

  • To provide holistic treatment and rehabilitation services (physical, mental, legal and social) to the torture survivors;
  • To advocate against torture;
  • Raise awareness on mental health issues and contribute to the prevention of torture in Kenya;
  • To generate information about the state of torture and Mental Health through research, monitoring, inspection visits to the detentions camps-prisons and documentation;
  • To provide socio- economic rehabilitation services to survivors of torture. 

Gratitude to IRCT and UNVFVT

The generous support from IRCT and UNVFVT has enabled MATESOF to progress on with its activities successfully for the last 8 years.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to IRCT, first and foremost for supporting our 26th June yearly torture campaigns.

We further take this opportunity to thank OAK/Rausing fund for their support from 2007, 2008 and 2009-12. In 2011 we got La LUZ grant to support sexually abused women in conflicts/torture. IRCT has continued to offer grants to MATESO-recent being COVID-19 Micro grant. And in 2009, IRCT sponsored the exchange program and regional workshop in Sub-Saharan Africa, where our staff attended. In 2014-2018,we partnered up with IRCT, through the support of European Union Fund to run a Documentation Project. The Executive Director was elected, first as a proxy, then into full Council Member of IRCT 2017-2019.IRCT also gave us grants yearly that kept our activities going though not adequate. UNVFVT started funding us in 2011, and we look forward that they increase their funding to us.

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