Wole Adedoyin interviews Wesonga J. Wekesa: There is no Human Rights Activism Without Poetry

WA: WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING POETRY CENTERED ON HUMAN RIGHTS THEMES?
WESONGA: I grew up in a Catholic family where the church encouraged children and young adults to engage in social activities and serve vulnerable members of the community. Through this, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of human rights violations. This experience inspired me to write poetry that highlights these issues, amplifying the voices of those affected. I also see my poetry as a historical record, preserving the struggles of our society for future generations to learn from and understand the journey toward human rights realization in my community.

WA: HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POETRY AND ACTIVISM?
WESONGA: They are inseparable. There is no human rights activism without poetry.

WA: WHICH SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND WHY?
WESONGA: The rights of children. Children are vulnerable and often lack the means to protect themselves, especially when left unprotected. If we want a brighter future for society, we must ensure their rights are safeguarded.

WA: CAN YOU RECALL A MOMENT WHEN YOUR POETRY SPARKED A CONVERSATION OR ACTION ON A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE?
WESONGA: Yes, I worked on a piece addressing defilement, and it sparked significant conversation within my community. The piece not only raised awareness but also encouraged action to confront and prevent such violations.

WA: HOW DO YOU BALANCE EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION AND POLITICAL MESSAGE IN YOUR POEMS?
WESONGA: I only write when I can truly feel the emotion behind the words.

WA: DO YOU FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY AS A POET TO GIVE VOICE TO THE VOICELESS?
WESONGA: That is my sole purpose.

WA: HAVE YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES SHAPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OR EXPRESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?WESONGA: Deeply. From my upbringing to my profession, my experiences have profoundly influenced how I approach human rights.

WA: HOW DO YOU RESEARCH OR STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES YOU WRITE ABOUT?
WESONGA: I follow various human rights organizations on social media and regularly review human rights journals from around the world.

WA: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF WRITING POETRY ON DIFFICULT OR TRAUMATIC TOPICS?
WESONGA: Sometimes, in my poetry, I cry out for help, but to others, it’s just another poem about pain and sorrow.

WA: HAVE YOU FACED ANY BACKLASH OR CENSORSHIP BECAUSE OF YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS-FOCUSED WORK?WESONGA: No.

WA: WHICH POETS OR THINKERS HAVE INSPIRED YOUR ACTIVISM THROUGH LITERATURE?
WESONGA: Tupac Shakur, Jahseh Onfroy, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Chinua Achebe, Malala Yousafzai, Malcolm X, and Lucky Dube.

WA: DO YOU SEE YOUR POETRY AS A FORM OF PROTEST, TESTIMONY, OR BOTH?
WESONGA: Both.

WA: HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR WORK REMAINS AUTHENTIC WHEN WRITING ABOUT COMMUNITIES OR STRUGGLES YOU ARE NOT DIRECTLY PART OF?
WESONGA: I conduct thorough research and only write about what I have observed firsthand.

WA: HAVE YOU COLLABORATED WITH NGOS, MOVEMENTS, OR ADVOCACY GROUPS THROUGH YOUR POETRY?WESONGA: No, I ran my own advocacy group while studying at the university.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR POETRY HAS ON READERS—EMOTIONALLY, INTELLECTUALLY, OR SOCIALLY?
WESONGA: I aim to create an emotional connection, allowing readers to deeply feel, understand, and appreciate my work.

WA: DO YOU INCORPORATE LOCAL LANGUAGES, HISTORY, OR CULTURAL REFERENCES WHEN ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS IN YOUR WORK?
WESONGA: Yes, I do. It reflects the actual community I’m writing about, and language captures the time and place in a society.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG POETS WHO WANT TO WRITE ABOUT JUSTICE AND EQUITY?
WESONGA: Nothing should stop you!

WA: CAN YOU SHARE A SPECIFIC POEM OR LINE THAT YOU FEEL BEST REPRESENTS YOUR COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS?
WESONGA: “…if we keep quiet, our country won’t be there…”

WA: HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE HOPE AND DESPAIR WHEN WRITING ABOUT THE INJUSTICES IN THE WORLD?
WESONGA: By understanding that people are just people, and those who wish to do good will always do good.

WA: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE FUTURE OF POETRY IN HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY?
WESONGA: Impactful and more appreciated.

Wesonga J. Wekesa is a young Kenyan lawyer with a deep passion for social development and legal advocacy. With a particular enthusiasm for confessional poetry and literature that explores African identity and culture, he is dedicated to using his expertise to drive social change and promote justice. Wekesa’s commitment to making a positive impact in his community extends beyond law, as he actively engages in human rights activism through his poetry. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he shares insights on how his dual role as a poet and advocate shapes his efforts for social justice.