By Calvin Kaunda
Real and lasting impact is rarely built overnight in the realm of criminal justice reform and international development. It is forged through consistent advocacy, systemic reform, and an unyielding defense of fundamental human rights. At the Residence of the French Ambassador in Nairobi, that long-term commitment received global recognition when Pete Ouko, Founder and Executive Director of Crime Si Poa, was formally conferred with France’s National Order of Merit (Ordre national du Mérite) by H.E. Arnaud Suquet, Ambassador of France to Kenya and Somalia on behalf of President Emmanuel Macron .
The Ordre national du Mérite stands among France’s most distinguished national honors, awarded to individuals worldwide who demonstrate exceptional public service and transformative leadership. For Mr. Ouko, this conferment holds deep, symbolic significance. Having survived 18 years in prison, including 10 years on death row for a wrongful conviction, Pete transformed this extraordinary ordeal into a lifelong crusade for justice. As the first inmate in Kenya to study law behind bars, he founded Crime Si Poa while still on death row to bridge the gap in legal access, stop youth pathways into incarceration, and actively champion the universal abolition of the death penalty.
Through its dedicated Access to Justice and Legal Support Services, Crime Si Poa works relentlessly alongside global partners such as ECPM and the Schooner Foundation to dismantle oppressive legal structures and promote penal reform. By offering pro-bono legal aid and support services, training community and prison paralegals, and educating marginalized populations on their legal and constitutional rights, Crime Si Poa addresses the root socio-economic drivers that lead to wrongful convictions and youth Incarceration
During the formal ceremony, Ambassador Suquet commended Crime Si Poa’s pivotal role in pushing the boundary of human rights and legal empowerment in East Africa. The conferment underscored the shared commitment between France and Kenya to uphold human dignity, reform criminal justice systems, and eliminate capital punishment. The event convened diplomats, legislature, civil society and criminal justice sector players, creating a powerful forum to reflect on the future of crime prevention and restorative justice.
This historic milestone served as an affirmation of the fact that criminal justice reform and fighting systemic injustice requires collective resilience. While one leader’s lived experience and legal vision set the foundation, it is the continued collaboration with international abolitionist organizations, local communities, and dedicated staff that sustains the momentum toward a more humane justice system.
This prestigious recognition is a tribute to the relentless dedication of the entire Crime Si Poa team, whose enduring efforts over the years have driven the organization’s success. Through steadfast commitment to expanding legal aid access, empowering vulnerable communities, and tirelessly advocating against the death penalty, the team has helped reshape Kenya’s legal landscape. Seeing Crime Si Poa’s grassroots mission resonate at the highest global levels serves as a powerful validation of their collective journey, proving that dedicated teamwork and persistent advocacy can spark profound, system-wide change.