By Eddah Waithaka
A broad coalition of civil society organizations, social movements, faith institutions, labour unions, youth formations, and governance actors has issued a powerful declaration from a two-day retreat in Lukenya, warning that Kenya stands at a critical crossroads while offering a bold vision for democratic renewal.
Under the banner “Amkeni Wakenya, Wakati ni Sasa”, “Arise Kenyans, The Time is Now”, the diverse group of leaders spoke with one voice about the daily realities millions of Kenyans face and the urgent need for organized, sustained action ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Maisha ni mbaya for millions of Kenyans. This is not just a phrase, but a daily reality marked by rising costs of living, shrinking opportunities, and growing uncertainty about the future,” the declaration begins.
The leaders described the June 2024 Gen Z protests as a defining verdict on the state of the nation.”The June 2024 Gen Z protests were not just a protest. They were a verdict. A verdict on broken promises, unmet expectations, and a vast gap between citizens and those who lead them,” the statement reads.
“That verdict demands a response, not episodic protest, but sustained, organized democratic renewal.”Defending Civic SpaceThe coalition condemned what it termed an escalating crackdown on civic freedoms affecting both leaders and ordinary citizens across the country.”
The attack on civic space is unacceptable. The increasing crackdown on civic freedoms is deeply concerning and has affected both civic leaders and ordinary citizens,” the declaration states.
“These actions include abductions, illegal deportations, surveillance, intimidation, interference with places of worship, and the spread of digital misinformation, including AI-generated content.”
Civic space encompasses every Kenyan’s right to speak freely, assemble, participate in public life, and hold those in power accountable without fear of retaliation, the leaders emphasized.
They demanded the immediate cessation of all actions restricting these fundamental freedoms and urged protection for civic leaders, human rights defenders, and citizens actively engaged in public life.
Democracy Under Threat
The leaders pointed to dangerous trends they say threaten Kenya’s democratic foundations, including the concentration of political power, executive interference in independent institutions, legislation passed without genuine public participation, and support for groups causing regional instability.
Citing Article 94 of the Constitution, which vests legislative authority in Parliament, and Article 249, which guarantees the independence of constitutional commissions, the coalition called on Parliament to defend its constitutional mandate.
“Parliament must defend its independence. Our institutions must serve the Constitution, not political convenience,” the statement reads. “We call on all actors to resist the erosion of the checks and balances that Kenyans fought hard to establish.”
Protect the Vote, Prepare for 2027With the next election cycle approaching, the coalition issued a clarion call to young Kenyans to take immediate action.
“We appeal to young Kenyans to take action by obtaining their national identification documents and registering to vote. Your participation matters. Every vote counts, and together, we can shape a brighter future,” the declaration urges.
The groups called for regulated campaign financing, robust electoral processes, and a strengthened Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and other election management bodies.
Economic Justice and Leadership Integrity
The leaders invoked Article 201 of the Constitution, which emphasizes openness, accountability, and public participation in managing public finance.
“Public funds are a shared resource belonging to all Kenyans, and we demand a commitment to full transparency throughout their management, disbursement, and accounting processes,” the statement asserts.
They also called on political leaders to uphold Chapter 6 of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.”We demand that the President and all political leaders exercise language, conduct, and leadership worthy of the offices they hold. Chapter 6 is not merely an ornamental chapter of the constitution but a guiding light for our leaders,” the statement reads.
“The Presidency is not a personal platform. It is a constitutional trust. Kenyans require political hygiene from the top, and across all political actors.”
The Human Cost
The coalition highlighted the severe strain on Kenya’s education and health systems, pointing to persistent capitation challenges, overcrowded classrooms, and under-resourced hospitals.
They noted growing youth unemployment and deepening disillusionment, as well as recent flood-related deaths that exposed gaps in disaster preparedness.
“Yet, even as these pressures mount, the State House budget is being increased in ways that raise serious concerns about priorities and accountability,” the statement observes.
Citing Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees rights to health and education, and Article 55, which mandates youth access to education, employment, and civic participation, the leaders called for urgent investment in human development.
“The cost of inaction is a lost generation and that is a cost no nation can afford,” they warned.
The coalition further trained its sharpest focus on Parliament, demanding that lawmakers defend their independence without apology and reject all legislation pushed through without genuine public participation.
Leaders called on MPs to pass campaign finance reform before 2027 and exercise their oversight mandate with courage, holding the Executive to account on every shilling of public money.
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To the President and the Executive, the declaration insists on conduct worthy of Chapter 6 of the Constitution, demanding an immediate end to executive interference in independent institutions and the cessation of any support for groups fomenting regional instability.
The groups urge the administration to redirect national resources toward health, education, and youth opportunity, stressing that the State House budget cannot expand while hospitals collapse and classrooms overflow.
Security agencies and police received a particularly stern warning, with the coalition reminding them that the Constitution does not grant them power to silence citizens but commands them to provide protection.
The declaration demands an immediate end to all abductions, illegal deportations, surveillance, and intimidation of civic leaders and ordinary Kenyans, as well as stopping interference with places of worship. “You are the last line of defence when every other institution bends,” the statement reads.
To the Judiciary, the leaders insist on fierce and visible independence, subject only to the Constitution and the law. They urge judges to enforce the justiciable rights enshrined in Articles 43 and 55, act swiftly on violations of civic freedoms, and refuse to allow impunity to become the norm.
Turning to electoral bodies, the coalition warns that 2027 is not far and the work of electoral integrity must begin today, not on nomination day.
They demand that the IEBC and all electoral management bodies rebuild public trust through transparent, robust processes, strengthen voter registration, and enforce campaign finance rules without fear or favour.
The leaders remind these institutions that the June 2024 Gen Z protests delivered a clear verdict on what Kenyans expect, emphasizing that a credible election remains the minimum standard, not an achievement to celebrate.
The declaration concludes with a powerful message to every Kenyan citizen, particularly the youth, “The power to change this country lives in you. It is not a metaphor.”
