Civic Societies Launch Toolkit to Agitate for More Democratic Space
Kilifi North Deputy County Commissioner Samuel Mutisya Muinde confers with Core Human Rights Organization Chair Zedekiah Adika after the launch of the Toolkit in Kilifi. (Poto By Mwakwaya Raymond)
By The COAST Team
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gail.com
Kilifi County Civic Society Organizations have launched the Civic space protection and promotion Toolkit.
The toolkit launched at the Pwani University on Wednesday is a milestone for civic society actors, community leaders and media practitioner in their fight to protect democratic space and human rights.
The toolkit, developed by the Kenya Community Support Center (KECOSCE), tends to provides practical strategies to safeguard civic freedoms such as freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association rights that are increasingly under threats in Kenya and beyond.
A press release seen by the media, KECOSCE Executive Director Phyllis Mwema emphasized the importance of a vibrant civic space in democratic societies.
“A vibrant civic space is the cornerstone of democracy. This toolkit will equipts stakeholders with the knowledge and tool to defend their rights and amplify their voices,” said Mwema in the press released.
Mwema revealed that the toolkit will offer actionable resources for advocacy, mobilization and protection mechanisms for activists and human rights defenders.
“Protecting and promoting civic freedoms helps align policies and services to the real needs of citizens,” noted Mwema.
The initiative has been supported by UNDP AMKEN wa Kenya and the embassy of Netherlands, reflecting a strong international commitment to defending civic rights at the grassroot level.
The Kenya Community Support Center was founded in 2006 and has been working in the coastal region with its purpose is to promote and facilitate institutionalization of the values and practices of good governance at all levels of society as a basis for sustainable social-economic development.
Core Human Rights Organization Chair Zedekiah Adika said the initiative once used positively would generate proper information that citizens require.
Going towards elections Adika who is also an advocate said the platform will help people choose the quality of leaders to elect.
“This is a good initiative as we are two years to elections. Its a platform where citizens can learn about elections and what sort of leadership to elect,” said Adika.
He challenged the government to provide a leeway engagement without stifling.
Kashero Chinyaka from the Kilifi County Citizens Forum urged youths to continue and be allowed to express their views freely without being intimidate.
According to him he said kenya is a democratic country and everyone is free to articulate their issues without fear so long they don’t violate the constitution.
” we are a democratic country. The youths are part of the Kenyan society. I challenge them to continue speak the truth.
