Titus Kaloki of FES in Nairobi – we need a strong civil society
By Denise Nanni and Milena Rampoldi,
ProMosaik. In the following our interview with Titus Kaloki of the FriedrichEbert Stiftung in Nairobi Kenya. We would like to thank him for his time and
the photos he sent us. We talked about the social and political problems in
Kenya, about youth and women empowerment and about how to improve political
participation of the civil society.
ProMosaik. In the following our interview with Titus Kaloki of the FriedrichEbert Stiftung in Nairobi Kenya. We would like to thank him for his time and
the photos he sent us. We talked about the social and political problems in
Kenya, about youth and women empowerment and about how to improve political
participation of the civil society.
(Far left): Majala Mlagui, Director Thamani Trust. (Second
Left) Hon. Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Lands and
Physical Planning. (Second Right) Titus Kaloki, Programme Coordinator FES
Kenya. (Far Right) Christopher Mwambingu, Director Taita Resource Center during
a National conference on Land and Mining rights held on 18th Dec
2016.
Left) Hon. Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Lands and
Physical Planning. (Second Right) Titus Kaloki, Programme Coordinator FES
Kenya. (Far Right) Christopher Mwambingu, Director Taita Resource Center during
a National conference on Land and Mining rights held on 18th Dec
2016.
With what aims was founded FES in Kenya?
FES
was founded in Germany in 1925 and opened the Kenyan office in 1964. In 1964, the first Resident Representative was sent to
Nairobi to open an office from which all further activities would be
coordinated. In May 1972, the official agreement between the Government of
Kenya and FES was signed. FES is aimed at strengthening democracy and improving
political, social and economic conditions for development. The Foundation does
this through capacity building, policy development and promotion of dialogue on
contemporary issues among diverse groups.
was founded in Germany in 1925 and opened the Kenyan office in 1964. In 1964, the first Resident Representative was sent to
Nairobi to open an office from which all further activities would be
coordinated. In May 1972, the official agreement between the Government of
Kenya and FES was signed. FES is aimed at strengthening democracy and improving
political, social and economic conditions for development. The Foundation does
this through capacity building, policy development and promotion of dialogue on
contemporary issues among diverse groups.
FES is involved in
strengthening institutions and mechanisms that are key to a vibrant democracy,
such as an independent Parliament and a strong civil society, as well as trade
unions. FES also promotes public debate on topical political issues and the
freedom of the media.
strengthening institutions and mechanisms that are key to a vibrant democracy,
such as an independent Parliament and a strong civil society, as well as trade
unions. FES also promotes public debate on topical political issues and the
freedom of the media.
What are the main social issues in Kenya?
Kenya has bad governance related problems such
as tribalism, corruption and underdevelopment. The Kenyan politics are
characterized by ethnic mobilization which tends to put aside serious debate on
issues affecting citizens and sometimes leads to violence in election related
disputes. Since this kind of politics require each tribe to have a tribal
kingpin based on a patriarchal cultural system there is little democratic space
within a tribe. Leaders are elected through endorsement by tribal kingpins who
act as community gatekeepers. These tribal elites monopolize political and
economic power which fosters commercialization of politics since wealth and
power can only be generated through the hands of a few elites.
as tribalism, corruption and underdevelopment. The Kenyan politics are
characterized by ethnic mobilization which tends to put aside serious debate on
issues affecting citizens and sometimes leads to violence in election related
disputes. Since this kind of politics require each tribe to have a tribal
kingpin based on a patriarchal cultural system there is little democratic space
within a tribe. Leaders are elected through endorsement by tribal kingpins who
act as community gatekeepers. These tribal elites monopolize political and
economic power which fosters commercialization of politics since wealth and
power can only be generated through the hands of a few elites.
Most Kenyans then vote for whoever can give
handouts or promise community centered economic benefits. For the leaders to
amass enough wealth to please their communities they must turn to embezzling of
public coffers leading to corruption and massive failure of development
projects. The national and county governments led by this type of leaders have
little or no incentive to empower their communities since it requires
relinquishing the monopoly on economic and political power. Democracy is thus
hindered and citizens remain largely unaware of their rights and how to
exercise them. At the end Kenya remains underdeveloped both democratically and
socio-economically.
handouts or promise community centered economic benefits. For the leaders to
amass enough wealth to please their communities they must turn to embezzling of
public coffers leading to corruption and massive failure of development
projects. The national and county governments led by this type of leaders have
little or no incentive to empower their communities since it requires
relinquishing the monopoly on economic and political power. Democracy is thus
hindered and citizens remain largely unaware of their rights and how to
exercise them. At the end Kenya remains underdeveloped both democratically and
socio-economically.
Women grassroots leaders listen during a workshop on women
participation in political leadership in Taita Taveta County facilitated by FES
Kenya in August 2016.
participation in political leadership in Taita Taveta County facilitated by FES
Kenya in August 2016.
In what ways do you promote women’s
participation in governance and politics?
participation in governance and politics?
The Kenyan constitution advocates for the
affirmative action for women in all leadership and governance position. It
requires a minimum of 30% of either gender to be appointed in such positions.
Therefore as FES we adhere to this constitutional requirement as a minimum in
participants’ composition. We also partner with local organization whom we
facilitate to implement projects aimed at empowering women in political
leadership and governance.
affirmative action for women in all leadership and governance position. It
requires a minimum of 30% of either gender to be appointed in such positions.
Therefore as FES we adhere to this constitutional requirement as a minimum in
participants’ composition. We also partner with local organization whom we
facilitate to implement projects aimed at empowering women in political
leadership and governance.
What are the main obstacles to women and
youth empowerment?
youth empowerment?
The patriarchal culture of many Kenyan tribes
doesn’t provide opportunity for the youth and women voices to be heard. Even
when these women and youth are educated and have brilliant ideas they have to
adhere to instructions from lesser educated older men. This is fostered by the
politics of the day where elders influence communities to vote for tribal
representatives who are also exclusively men. These tribal style of politics
monopolizes economic and political power in the hands of the tribal male
elites. So for the women and youth who have aspirations to empower themselves
politically and economically, they have to compromise their values at some
point and get entrenched into the existing system.
doesn’t provide opportunity for the youth and women voices to be heard. Even
when these women and youth are educated and have brilliant ideas they have to
adhere to instructions from lesser educated older men. This is fostered by the
politics of the day where elders influence communities to vote for tribal
representatives who are also exclusively men. These tribal style of politics
monopolizes economic and political power in the hands of the tribal male
elites. So for the women and youth who have aspirations to empower themselves
politically and economically, they have to compromise their values at some
point and get entrenched into the existing system.
Another obstacle is the lack of youth and women
friendly representation in many decision making organs of both government and
general society. Whenever these two groups get a chance it is pegged on
affirmative action instead of empowering them to be equal players. Therefore,
they get nomination slots that are ceremonial in nature and controlled by men.
friendly representation in many decision making organs of both government and
general society. Whenever these two groups get a chance it is pegged on
affirmative action instead of empowering them to be equal players. Therefore,
they get nomination slots that are ceremonial in nature and controlled by men.
Unemployment and lack of access to credit
facilities has subjugated women and youth to beggar status under the mercy of
men. They cannot hold strong opinions and self-organize to demand their rights
or participation in governance since it is easy for men to infiltrate them by
enticing a few to sabotage the process through either coercion or bribery.
facilities has subjugated women and youth to beggar status under the mercy of
men. They cannot hold strong opinions and self-organize to demand their rights
or participation in governance since it is easy for men to infiltrate them by
enticing a few to sabotage the process through either coercion or bribery.
Do you cooperate with local authorities and
institutions? If yes, how?
institutions? If yes, how?
We do work with local partners drawn from the
Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations. We facilitate
their programs on good governance. It is through these organizations that
linkages and partnerships may be formed with local authorities and government
institutions. An example would be our public participation programs which bring
together citizens, civil society organizations and county governments to
discuss the challenges, successes and future plans in public participations. In
some instances we have succeeded in lobbying for legislative processes that
empower public participation such as the Kisumu Public Participation Act.
Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations. We facilitate
their programs on good governance. It is through these organizations that
linkages and partnerships may be formed with local authorities and government
institutions. An example would be our public participation programs which bring
together citizens, civil society organizations and county governments to
discuss the challenges, successes and future plans in public participations. In
some instances we have succeeded in lobbying for legislative processes that
empower public participation such as the Kisumu Public Participation Act.
University students pose after a workshop on Youth
participation in the 2017 elections held in July 2016.
participation in the 2017 elections held in July 2016.
