Tuesday, July 30, 2024 05:00 | Author
Ndung’u Wainana, Executive Director of the International Policy and Conflict Centre (ICPC). Photo/Print
The lobby group accused President William Ruto of leading an authoritarian regime.
In a statement to media, the International Policy and Conflict Center (ICPC) called for an end to the ongoing abductions and the use of excessive force against protesters.
“It is incomprehensible that many civil society organisations and individuals, including activists, civil society workers, media, artists and human rights defenders, are operating in a climate of insecurity, fear, reprisals, attacks and intimidation. This undermines citizens’ contribution to democratic practice and participation in democratic processes outside of state-structured spaces,” said ICPC Secretary-General Ndung’u Wainana.
A true contribution
Waianina said the suggestion that young people, particularly Gen Z, are being funded to speak up belittles their real contribution to Kenya’s development.
“ICPC strongly rejects the dictatorial regime that is taking shape. The Kenyan government must recognise that constitutional democracy cannot be strengthened without an open and vibrant civic space that allows the people to be at the centre of democratic processes and nation building,” he said.
He added that in recent months, CSOs have stepped up and launched rapid response interventions to meet the immediate and overwhelming needs and concerns of Kenyans affected by the crisis in the country through providing legal assistance to those arrested and abducted, medical assistance to the injured and psychosocial support to affected individuals and families.
The group said it continues to press its case on human rights and governance concerns raised by Kenyans.
“We fully support the effective participation of young people in governance and the economy, and the active pursuit of effective, not just perfunctory, participation by young people to ensure their voices are heard in policy-making. Young people must have their demands addressed,” the ICPC statement read.
Wainaina noted that over the past three months, civil society and the media have been active in promoting accountability in public financial management and the protection of human rights, including through protests and an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, abductions and theft of public resources.
