IMLU began its anti-torture work by combining medical and legal services in order to support victims of torture and to demand justice in cases. The organization set out in this area of work during a period of national insurgency in, which many Kenyans were arrested and died in custody. The government has never taken responsibility for these deaths, or contacted the victims’ families. In response, IMLU’s founders decided to investigate, conducting post-mortem forensic analysis after any suspicious death reported while in custody, as well as contacting the victims’ families and providing the service free of cost.

IMLU not only handles post-mortems, approximately 100 cases per year, but also works with over 1,000 cases of torture, injury, and other rights violations. IMLU takes advantage of the right to demand post mortems in cases of suspicious deaths in custody, in order to gather the evidence necessary take cases to court. Although post-mortem examinations are required by Kenyan law, they are often not carried out, IMLU strives to protect the right to demand post mortems in cases of suspicious deaths in order to expose the widespread use of torture.

Working with doctors and lawyers, the organization operates through a wide network of professional support. While IMLU might meet transport, accommodations, and related expenses, journalists and other professionals are not paid for their work. In terms of its work in the legal system, IMLU foots the administration costs for handling cases, including the forensic work as well as the legal services. Professionals working with IMLU do not charge their usual fees, but are reimbursed for their costs to conduct the forensic investigation and to do the legal filing.

By developing an advocacy journalism project to expand upon and support legal and medical services, IMLU looks for exposure through various media outlets, both print and broadcast. Working directly with the media has allowed IMLU to raise awareness about torture, as well as to promote the organization itself and its services. As a result, IMLU has seen an increase in the number of people who are coming forward with cases of human rights abuses. Additionally, the organization has successfully widened its network of professionals.

IMLU also provides support to its network of professionals. The organization offers forensic training as well as training for lawyers and healthcare professionals in anti-torture work, including education in international protocol and policy. Additionally, IMLU is working to create a manual for doctors in order to assist them in handling torture cases, as well as to help to compile a handbook for Kenyan journalists to assist them in using the media to raise awareness about torture.

IMLU’s work has had a direct impact on individual cases, as well as at a broader social and political level. Media exposure has heightened the profiles of specific cases, which not only serves to empower the victims of violence, but also to educate the community and raise awareness about the prevalence of torture. What is more, this type of exposure around specific cases have been effective in generating a response from law enforcement and the government in instances where letter writing campaigns have been met with little response.

Further, since the implementation of IMLU’s campaign, the organization has seen a number of improvements in the judicial system. In general, IMLU observed that the timeline for the processing of cases in the legal system has come down from ten to about two years. Additionally, since the implementation of IMLU’s programs, the government has instituted an open door policy in prisons, which allows people to enter the facilities to visit inmates.

IMLU’s individual support services are also an integral part of the organization’s work. IMLU documents all of the cases that it receives, whether or not the client’s case will go to court, and many cases that do not go to court may still benefit from media advocacy. Going over individual cases, IMLU also brings in a psychologist or mental health worker to assist in the evaluation process as well as to provide support. Whenever someone that has gone through IMLU’s counseling sessions with a case that IMLU’s legal team wants to bring to court, this client is asked to sign a release form to allow the organization to use case information. IMLU will often change the victims name and other identifying information when publicizing the case. However, health and support services are provided even if the case brought to IMLU is not appropriate for referral for legal services.

IMLU also utilizes field work in order to connect the organization to its clients. IMLU maintains close contact with field workers, offering psychological support for these members of the staff who are often exposed to grief and violence, experience that are potentially traumatic and emotionally taxing.

Mobilizing the media to act on behalf of the victim, a central part of the message that IMLU sends involves asking for help from the public. Through talk shows, radio shows, IMLU’s website among other outlets, IMLU connects with concerned members of the community who are able to offer services, goods and funding. Most of these cases are in the rural areas where people are very poor. Therefore it is necessary to provide the funding for the cases. Complimenting media advocacy, the organization organizes efforts to send protest letters to the police, ministry of justice, and other relevant public offices. IMLU will also organize public demonstrations, picketing demanding action as well as community outreach programs in the community where victims live.

Currently, IMLU is expanding, trying to work as a region and to connect a number of East African nations. Working closely with doctors and pathologists, IMLU has been successful in opening treatment centers, which provide services on site to torture victims, but do not yet provide the same level of legal and media advocacy services.