KIRUKU: For Civil Society, Uhuru has turned bitter

KIRUKU: For Civil Society, Uhuru has turned bitter

Remarks by President Uhuru Kenyatta belittling the role of civil society organisations in educating the masses on governance clearly shows how contemptuously our leaders undervalue the immense work done by the human rights groups.

President Kenyatta’s remarks – made during Kenya’s 53rd Jamhuri Day cerebrations on 12 December – sparked anger among Kenyans, with many pouring their frustrations on social media and terming the president’s move unfortunate and unnecessary. The Law Society of Kenya hit out at the president’s remarks and endorsed the great work being done by CSOs in educating the masses ahead of the country’s 2017 polls.

Although President Kenyatta’s claim about plans by foreign institutions to meddle in the coming polls should be investigated, the blanket condemnation of all CSOs was uncalled for. All the same, international interference in the electoral choices, where there is sufficient intelligence, should be countermanded and dealt with using legal channels.

It is unfortunate that such sentiments from a head of state came days after the commemoration of the UN International Human Rights Day, when campaigns to sensitise citizens to know and push for their rights were held. A government that undermines the institutions meant to protect people’s rights is one that is slowly sliding into dictatorship. 

But Kenya is not the only EAC partner state to try and cripple civil society groups. Just last year, Burundi, which is notorious for violation of basic human rights, suspended civil society groups for speaking against the government.

Globally, the champions of human rights are CSOs and citizens, not government officials. NGOs play a primary role in focussing governments on human rights issues. They monitor the work of governments and pressure them to act according to human rights principles. It is thus disastrous for anyone to try and “kill” the human rights movement.

The region’s CSOs, especially those dealing with issues of governance and civic education, are under threat and if the situation is not arrested, the region will slide back into gross dictatorship and anarchy. It is the role of the civil society to hold governments to account; any government that fights the checks and balances set up against it from any quarters is against the tenets of transparency and accountability.

There is a creeping, unspoken but insidious trend across the region to undermine human rights. Governments are deliberately attacking, underfunding or neglecting institutions that have been set up to help protect the rights of citizens. Sadly, not only are the rights of the CSOs under threat, but also the laws, systems and very fabric of democratic governance.

It is no wonder that some countries in the region, especially Kenya and Burundi, have been threatening to quit the International Criminal Court. The UN human rights bodies, the ICC and other regional mechanisms are meant to protect people’s rights the world over, but are now being undermined by unaccountable governments in an attempt to evade scrutiny of their domestic records. 

In developing countries, where democracy cannot be assumed, the role of CSOs in enhancing transparency and good governance cannot be overemphasized; these institutions are the pillars of good governance in any country.

In Burundi, as the crisis over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a third term in office deepened, civil society was among the first casualties. The country’s interior minister suspended 10 civil society groups, accusing them of spreading violence in the country. The unfortunate move was heavily criticized by the United States, among other countries.

It is unfortunate that our political leaders would prefer the electorates to remain ignorant on electoral and political issues in our countries. The reason for that unfortunate preference is as clear as daylight: Ignorant voters are easy to manipulate.

The role of CSOs in ensuring people-centred development programmes and operations, as well in social empowerment among the citizenry, automatically leads to a greater consciousness of human rights and social transformational issues.

This is why any country that is not committed to service delivery for its citizens will abhor a strong and vocal civil society. Yet, responsible governments and civil society should be working partners with the aim of developing and implementing their open governance national action plans.

Across the region, millions of people are suffering enormously at the hands of despotic rulers whose only credentials are corruption and poor governance. It is such governments that are shamelessly painting the protection of human rights as a threat to law, order and national security.

Protecting and funding CSOs across the region should attract the support of progressive governments. Anything short of that is an indicator of dictatorship. As a region, we should take pride in upholding the fundamental rights of everyone, more so our own citizens.

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