BOI: Kenya’s Stella Agara Awarded the 15th Global Bremen Solidarity Prize

Kenya is in the world map, again; for all the right reasons. Known for many things, Kenya is globally recognized as the country with great number of athletes, and a country with very innovative populace. With this knowledge, the world is now prepared to know Kenya in another light; as a country that has produced a global warrior in Tax Justice and equality; Stella AdhiamboAgara.

Stella Agara, has been known for a long time to campaign for Tax justice.A little known part of tax system which advocates for a fair tax system and an end to blatant tax evasion. It is this campaign that earned her the 15^th Bremen Solidarity Award which was presented at Bremen City Hall, in Germany on 18^th June, 2017. With the award, Stella now joins the list of other Bremen Solidarity Laureates such as Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela who first won the award in 1988.

The Bremen Solidarity Prize was founded in 1987 by the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen to pay tribute to the efforts of the individuals and groups who make considerable contributions towards combating injustice in the North-South relationship and overcoming the effects of colonialism, racism and reduction in the effects of lack of democracy and abuse of human rights.

Since its inception, the Prize has brought to light a number of people who are making considerable efforts in fulfilling this goal. Stella, joins the list of other fourteen winners who have been feted since the award was started. The award is presented every two years upon careful consideration of contribution of applicants across the world.

The Prize consists of a sculpture by the Bremen artist, Bernd Altenstein, symbolizing the power of solidarity. In addition, the prize comes with a Cash award of 10,000 euros (Ksh1.25 million) funded by the Senate Chancellery and R+R Reinke -Foundation. The work of the recipients of the award is championed after the award of the prize through organizing of public events, meetings with interested groups and school visits.

The Winners of the award are chosen by the German Senate with the assistance of a special jury made up of members from different development cooperation and public figures with special focus on global justice.

Stella AdhiamboAgara is a known campaigner for justice for a long time. Born and bred in Nairobi’s Kibera slums, Stella says that she has always yearned for a chance to fight for the rights of the weak. ‘I have always felt short-changed seeing people suffer because of unequal society. My heart has always longed for a chance to change this narrative, and since such avenues advocating  for real change are quite few, I have always created such avenues myself.’ Stella asserts.

At a young age, Stella began her involvement in community work as a member of the Child Rights Defenders Movement volunteering for the ‘Cancel Debts for Children” Campaign which brought her urge for a just society to the fore. She believes young people are better placed to spearhead the society to a desirable level through active participation in political and leadership processes. To this effect, she has engaged with the youth in many activities to sensitize and mobilize greater participation in processes.

Currently Stella works for the Emerging Leaders Foundation. Previously she worked for the Africa Youth Trust – a project that aims to empower youth to engage in Human Rights and Democracy Work. She then joined ActionAid, an international non-governmental organization that carries out a worldwide campaign against tax evasion and fair tax system. Stella has also worked as a consultant on leadership and governance at Africa Youth Parliament.

In her campaign and advocacy work, Stella normally recommends that the United Nations  should create a special body on taxation to perform oversight on the failing global taxation model, the EU should as a matter of urgency promote country by country reporting that would benefit both the countries of origin and countries of investment of Multi- National Corporations, National governments should as a matter of priority involve their citizens in discussion on investments and in making decisions about how much of sovereign resource can be accorded to Multinational Corporations(MNCs) for business and to what specific cost to the citizens and finally that governments should actively fight corruption because, it is corruption that creates the loopholes for tax evasion.

Citizens of every country must as well take interest in taxation and demand accountability from their governments on the decisions they make about taxation. She further builds the capacity of citizen’s to demand such accountability.

MNC’s should pay their fair share of taxes because not paying taxes is tantamount to overthrowing a government. She quotes different instances where huge companies have spent huge amounts of money in corridors of justice to fleece governments of huge tax revenues. These amounts, she says are the reason governments are not able to do perform their basic duty hence affecting the person on the lowest scale.

‘The award gives us a global platform and an assurance that our voices are being heard even if no one seems to be listening. It is a proof that young people can stand for something, and advocate for it till its full realization. I greatly feel energised as a result of the award,’ Ms. Agara says in an interview with German press after the award. Stella insists that this should send signals to the youth  that the world remains a flat playground to all and that only consistent meaningful engagement brings results.

“StellaAgara is an incredibly brilliant lady. Her efforts are a great benchmark to this generation. She clearly deserves the award,’ said Carsten Sieling, the Bremen City Mayor.

Desmond Boi is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist. Email:dboi@iasr.co.ke