The Executive Director of Human Rights Commission, Mr Davis Malombe has called upon Kenyans to protect democratic gains that he alleged were shrinking in the country.

Malombe noted that the democratic space has been infiltrated by the recent incidents perpetrated by goons and violence on journalists aimed at silencing any progressive force of divergent opinions.

The executive director said this during the 6th Annual Civic Space Protection Summit (CSPS) at a hotel in Wote town in Makueni Subcounty on Wednesday. The two-day summit ends today, 17th September.

“One of the biggest threats to civic space is goonism and violence, besides the shrinking democratic space of expression,” said Malombe during the Summit while addressing the media on Wednesday in Wote town.

“So, we are calling on the people of Kenya to safeguard this space which is also protected in the Constitution,” he added.

Further Malombe who is also the Chairperson of the Civic Forum, challenged the media to be in the forefront in documenting and highlighting the cases of violations of human rights and political rights.

While saying every Kenyan should be accountable for their actions, he observed that violence is likely to increase as we head towards the 2027 general elections and impressed upon the government to take stern measures in dealing with the culprits.

“Who is financing and organising this violence? We are extremely concerned about political violence. So, as media, you have a role to play in terms of documentation and also highlighting cases of violation of human rights and political rights,” he stated.

The summit is themed: People Power. Civic Action and the Future of Democracy in Kenya. Protect civil space, strengthening institutions. Amplifying Citizens. Shaping Democracy.

Speaking at the same forum, the IMLU Executive Director Grace Wangechi expressed her concern that the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) still has no Chief Executive Officer (CEO); there are only 11 months to the 2027 elections.

The participants were drawn from members of different civil societies from the Central, North Eastern, Eastern, Nairobi, Rift Valley, Coast, Nyanza and Western regions, respectively.

In this view, Wangechi challenged the commissioners to ensure the CEO for IEBC is recruited in order to enable the commission to function as expected and deliver credible, fair and transparent general elections in 2027.

“IEBC needs to organise itself and ensure delivery of their mandate of credible, fair and transparent elections,” said Wangechi.

On her part, Makueni County Deputy Governor (DG) Lucy Mulili lauded the civil society for the work they do, especially in putting government on check, saying it was their responsibility to protect the civil space.

Mulili also noted that the civic education that they conduct has helped the people in the country to be informed besides knowing their rights, as it’s enshrined in the constitution.

“A lot has been done in this county. I encourage the civil society to play their role without fear or intimidation,” Mulili said.

“But remember, you have the work to protect the civil space. You must keep the fire burning,” she stated.

by Patrick Nyakundi