Kenyan Lawyer David Achero has shared that while civil society has operated under difficult conditions in the past in Kenya, it has been able to thrive under the current government headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Achero was giving insight on the discussion, ‘Compromise and Conflict of Interest: The Challenge of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Promoting Good Governance and Human Rights when Working for and with the Government’, with a focus on Kenya.

He explained that civil society organisations in Kenya had the toughest time in terms of interaction after President Daniel arap Moi took office in 1978.

Achero said the country experienced a lot of repression by this regime, leading to resilience and agitation by civil society.

He said when Mwai Kibaki took office in 2002, the new regime worked closely with civil society for human rights.

Achero described the winds of change for civil society in being able to engage closely and collaborate during Kibaki’s term.

He said the drivers that encouraged the current relationship between government and civil society included the euphoric feeling of change that was seen in 2002. 

Achero said the fact that there was now a shared vision between government and civil society, meant that tensions between both parties had relaxed.

A working environment between civil society and government also presented an opportunity to fulfil the realisation of human rights and freedoms.

He said Kibaki’s government and Kenyatta’s government had a sort of “hands off administrative approach” towards civil society organisations and enabled these organisations to work without strain.

Achero said civil society had played a crucial role in ensuring that there was mobilisation towards a given course.

“If they were to be put aside, it would mean that a lot of things may not go as planned,” he said.

He shared that in Kenya many institutions and independent commissions are formed as a result of civil society organisations like the National Gender Equality Commission and the National Integration Commission.

Achero said Kenyan leaders in civil society organisations also occupy positions in government.