Welcome to a discussion on the growing restrictions on civic space in Kenya and East Africa.
In recent years, civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kenya have faced increasing pressure through surveillance, legal barriers, public discrediting, and informal intimidation. While CSOs continue to operate, the space for civic engagement and dissent is narrowing. Growing authoritarian cooperation has enabled cross border abductions of human rights defenders between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in the past 18 months.
The event opens with greetings from Kenya by Michelle Mwelesa, a human rights defender and lawyer working as Advocacy Specialist at the Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF). Michelle, who is visiting Finland in May, will share first-hand perspectives on the situation in Kenya and East Africa and its impact on civil society’s operating environment.
CFF is a platform of Kenyan civil society organisations founded in 2021 to defend and promote civic liberties and conditions for civil society in Kenya. It currently brings together 12 member organisations with long-standing experience in human rights, democracy, and rule of law work.
Following Michelle´s presentation, we will hear short reflections from a Finnish organisation working in Kenya (Solidaarisuus/Maria Santavuo) and from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland (Anu Ala-Rantala, Senior specialist, Unit for Civil Society).
The event includes time for open discussion, questions, and informal exchange, and offers an opportunity to meet others working on Kenya-related issues.