Civil Society groups expressed deep disappointment with the government’s disregard for constitutional protections and oversight bodies, highlighting the continued erosion of civil liberties under the current regime.
Government defiance of court orders by senior state officials. For example, former acting Inspector-General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, who failed to comply with a court order mandating his six-month imprisonment. The court’s directive stems from a case involving three abducted individuals—Boby Njagi, Aslam Longton, and Jamil Longton—who remained missing but were later found alive. Civil society called for Masengeli’s immediate incarceration and demanded that the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kindiki Kithure, take swift action or risk the public initiating citizens’ arrests.
The right to peaceful protest enshrined under Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution is still under threat. Recent demonstrations against the 2024 Finance Bill have seen numerous reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and abductions at the hands of state actors. civil society Actors condemned these actions of police brutality, emphasizing that they would continue holding security agencies accountable for violating of human rights.
Corruption and Public Participation
Participants also condemned the erosion of public participation and fiscal accountability in government. They highlighted how the mismanagement of public resources and widespread corruption have not only hurt Kenya’s economy but also infringed on human rights. An alarming example was the recent controversy surrounding Adani group bid to take over Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which civil society leaders said was an attempt to subvert the constitution for the benefit of a few elites. The CSO leaders called for stronger, independent oversight of institutions and more transparency in governance including an end to the use of state agencies to suppress dissent.
While Kenya is home to some of the most vibrant digital activism globally, CSOs expressed concern over increasing state surveillance and repression in the digital space. They condemned the authority’s use of cyberbullying, propaganda, administrative actions to suppress free speech, which has led to growing self-censorship among activist.
The Fourth Civic Space Protection Summit has reaffirmed its role as a forum essential for addressing the increasingly restrictive environment for civil society in Kenya, CSO leaders vowed to continue the fight for human rights, justice, and transparency despite the bullies from the state.
The 4th Civic Space Summit was a culmination of the Annual Civic Space Academy that was held in Mombasa to address topics such CSO regulation and compliance, PBO Act and digital security training for CSOs in the coastal counties
