Defending Civil Liberties and Civil Society in Kenya

Founded in 2021, the Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF) is a coalition of Kenyan organizations defending civil liberties and the space for civil society. With KIOS support, CFF has successfully advocated for the removal of restrictive laws and strengthened its role as a key human rights defender.

Since the 2022 elections, civil society space in Kenya has narrowed, with tensions rising. Leading up to the 2023 elections, many human rights defenders and organizations, including CFF, faced Twitter suspensions. Despite these challenges, CFF has played a crucial role in protecting human rights defenders and advocating for civic space expansion. KIOS support has enabled CFF to provide training, such as digital security workshops, and to enhance national advocacy efforts.

For instance, a joint advocacy session allowed 22 social justice centers, the umbrella body for persons with disabilities (UPDK), and the Kenya Sex Workers Association (KESWA) to participate in discussions on civic space laws. Despite obstacles, CFF has emerged as a unifying platform for civil society actors and a strong advocate for human rights in Kenya.

KIOS has supported the work of CFF since 2022 with funding from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ development cooperation.