A sad state of affairs for young politically minded artists in Kenya Published: 12 November 2023 Commentary Art can be a disruptive form of expression and a powerful tool to shift existing political and social realities. However, in Kenya, the creative industry is often corrupt, and the government ignores many young artists, especially those who speak up for democracy and human rights. The Kenyan psychologist and human rights defender Salima Macharia shares some insights gained through her daily work with young artivists (artist + activist) from informal settlements in Nairobi. By Salima Macharia
"We are all part of the system and therefore can be part of the solution." Published: 12 November 2023 Music video The "Missing Voices" human rights network from Kenya which grew out of the Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) is fighting on the front line to end the vicious cycle of police abuse of power. They partnered with Juliani, Flawless Konya, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, and Abudabi Tembekali to create ‘Uwaga’ a music video aimed to inspire Kenyans to stand up against police brutality by illustrating the power of unity and re-imagining a nation whose principles are founded on equality and justice. By Missing voices network - Kenya
The Blind Spot Published: 13 February 2023 Graphic novel The Route to Food Initiative, a program component of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, has launched a special edition of the Cha Kula Magazine, a graphic novel entitled “The Blind Spot.” By Chief Nyamweya
Gender agenda: The big conundrum in the general elections in Kenya and Senegal Published: 18 July 2022 Analyse In the months of July and August, Senegal and Kenya will hold their general elections. However, the big question remains: Where do Senegalese and Kenyan women stand on their quest to parliamentary mandates and political offices? By Dr Saliou Ngom, Dr Selly Ba, Caroline Kioko and Nicola Egelhof
Making Green Energy Safe for Pastoralists Published: 30 May 2022 Commentary Rangelands in dry areas frequently offer perfect conditions for renewable energy projects. However, project developers often do not take the consequences for pastoralist communities into account. A transparent and participatory process is needed that includes pastoralists and respects their right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC). By Hussein Tadicha Wario
Kenia’s indigenous food systems - and how the pandemic has been an invitation to continue to learn from food. Published: 4 November 2020 Background The Kenyan Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) is a food rights programme of the Heinrich Böll Foundation based in Nairobi with the aim of promoting innovative discussions and solutions to the problem of chronic food insecurity in Kenya.
Decriminalizing homosexuality in Kenya Published: 15 February 2019 On the 24th of May 2019, Kenya's High Court will decide whether the sections of the Kenyan penal code that proscribe homosexual activity are unconstitutional. The Kenyan National Gay and Lesbian Commission (NGLHRC) has for years been fighting to repeal these laws. By Caroline Kioko
Community Protocol Tool Box and Project Report Published: 7 February 2017 The NGO Natural Justice and its regional partners, with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, have jointly assisted a number of communities to develop community protocols in the context of extractive industries. You can download them and the project report here.
Maina Kiai: "Our Ideas keep living on" Published: 13 September 2016 United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, explains in this interview with Christine Meissler why he will never give up fighting for democracy and human rights. By Christine Meissler
LGBTI Civil society organizations and the rights to peacefully assemble and associate Published: 13 September 2016 Civil society organisations can be a vanguard of progress for the LGBTI community. Despite the growing number of laws and policies impeding LGBTI advocacy, activists and organisations successfully challenge these trends. By International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)
How the Bangla-Pesa tapped the Value of an Informal Community Published: 25 January 2016 What if a poorer community created its own currency to foster social exchange? We interviewed Ruddick, the founder of the Bangla-Pesa to learn more about his remarkable experiment in community-based money. By Will Ruddick
Video: "Tell stories that are not often heard" Published: 19 February 2015 In our interview Jim Chuchu, director of the film "The Stories of Our Lives" and Njoki Ngumi (screenplay) explain their motivation to realize the film. By Jelena Nikolic
Kenya: „Society makes us invisible“ Published: 3 March 2014 Being queer is still a stigma in Kenya and leads to social invisibility. With his Book "Invisible" the Kenyan author Kevin Mwachiro challenges the myths about alternative ways of love and living. By Caroline Ausserer