Protecting Civic Space: Grassroots Women Condemn Intimidation of Civil Society, Demand Protection for Public Accountability in Kenya

By Gedion Nzyoki -

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14, 2026 — A coalition of grassroots women from across Nairobi has raised alarm over what it describes as growing intimidation, harassment, and attacks against civil society organizations and individuals championing public accountability, warning that shrinking civic space ultimately harms ordinary Kenyans.

A coalition of grassroots women from across Nairobi addresses the media during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon in Nairobi. Photo: Video screengrab

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon at Lagos Hotel on Accra Road in Nairobi, the women, led by Risper Nelima, Georgina Wanjiku, Caroline, Sarah, and Salimer Twalib, said the targeting of organizations that demand transparency in the use of public resources undermines the voices of communities struggling to access essential public services.

The signatories, identifying themselves as chama leaders, mama mbogas, salon owners, caregivers, farmers, traders, and community organizers, argued that attacks on accountability advocates leave ordinary citizens increasingly vulnerable when they seek answers on how public funds are spent.

"Today, we speak with one voice because we are deeply concerned by the growing intimidation, harassment, and attacks against organizations and individuals defending public accountability and civic space in Kenya," the coalition said.

The women defended the role played by civil society organizations, saying their work extends beyond governance advocacy to supporting communities in demanding better public service delivery.

According to the coalition, civic organizations help citizens ask difficult but necessary questions about stalled development projects and the management of public resources.

"Civil Society Organizations do more than advocate for good governance. They stand with communities as we ask difficult questions: Why is our dispensary still without medicine? Why is our market unfinished? Why are our roads still impassable despite millions of dollars being allocated? Where has the money meant to improve our lives gone?" they added.

The coalition warned that intimidation directed at such organizations ultimately silences ordinary citizens.

"When these organizations are threatened for asking such questions, it is not only their voices that are under attack; it is ours too."

They further questioned what protection remains for ordinary Kenyans if well-established organizations with legal backing and national visibility are allegedly subjected to intimidation.

"If organizations with lawyers, national visibility, and public support can be intimidated for demanding accountability, what protection remains for an ordinary woman questioning the misuse of public resources in her own community?"

The coalition said this fear is already being felt at the grassroots level.

"That is the fear many grassroots women are living with today."

Women Link Accountability to Everyday Livelihoods

The coalition said failures in accountability have direct consequences for women and their families, particularly those who rely on public services and community development projects.

They cited shortages of medicines in health facilities, neglected markets, failed water projects, and deteriorating infrastructure as examples of how corruption and poor governance disproportionately affect women.

"As women, we know the cost of failed accountability. We stretch household budgets when health facilities have no medicine. We lose income when markets are neglected. We spend more on water when projects fail. We struggle to raise our children in communities where public resources disappear while no one is held accountable," the women said.

Concerns Over Shrinking Civic Space

The women also expressed concern over what they described as an increasingly hostile environment for civic actors.

They pointed to intimidation, unlawful surveillance, office raids, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of individuals and organizations working on governance and accountability issues.

"We are also deeply concerned by the growing climate of fear created by intimidation, unlawful surveillance, office raids, enforced disappearances, and the targeting of civic actors."

They warned that such developments risk undermining democratic participation and accountability.

"A country where citizens fear asking questions is a country where corruption flourishes unchecked."

The coalition added that it would not accept a situation where demanding accountability is treated as a criminal act.

"We refuse to accept a Kenya where demanding accountability is treated as a crime."

Call for Government Action

The grassroots leaders urged the Government of Kenya to address the concerns raised and implement measures aimed at safeguarding civic space while protecting individuals and organizations advocating for transparency and accountability.

They also cautioned that the effects of shrinking civic space extend beyond civil society organizations.

"Today it is the Civil Society Organizations. Tomorrow it could be a chama leader asking why a market project has stalled, a mama mboga asking why there is no water in the market, a youth leader asking where promised opportunities went, or any ordinary Kenyan demanding answers about how public resources are being used," they said.

The women maintained that public accountability benefits every Kenyan, regardless of social or economic status.

"Their fight is our fight because accountability protects every community."

Solidarity with Accountability Advocates

The coalition concluded by pledging continued support for civil society organizations and individuals working to promote transparency and responsible governance.

"We stand in solidarity with the Civil Society Organizations and every individual and organization defending public accountability. We will continue to ask questions, organize our communities, and demand transparent leadership because public resources belong to the people, and accountability is the foundation of a just and democratic Kenya," they concluded.

The coalition's statement now places the spotlight on the government, with stakeholders expected to monitor whether the concerns raised will be addressed through concrete measures to protect civic space and strengthen public accountability.