Democracy Under Siege: Uchaguzi Platform’s Call For Action On International Day Of Democracy
The Mt Kenya Times 
Joint statement from different civil society groups in Kenya
By Cynthia Masibo
On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, celebrated globally to reflect on democratic progress, Uchaguzi Platform, a coalition of civil society organizations, has raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in Kenya. In a press statement, they highlighted issues such as shrinking civic space, inadequate electoral reforms, and threats to freedom of expression.
Uchaguzi Platform expressed alarm over the increasing misuse of laws, such as the Public Order Act, to stifle peaceful assemblies and protests. They particularly noted the proposed Assembly and Demonstrations Bill of 2024, which could grant the government excessive powers to crack down on protests. Abductions, unexplained disappearances, and arbitrary arrests were cited as common practices to suppress civic engagement, with those responsible rarely held accountable.
The statement also underscored the police-instigated violence against protesters, media personnel, and human rights defenders. Journalists covering protests have been attacked, bloggers threatened, and media houses have faced uneven access to commercial revenue from public sector clients. Uchaguzi pointed out that these restrictions erode democracy and violate fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Uchaguzi Platform also criticized the sluggish pace of electoral reforms, warning that the lack of timely and comprehensive reforms hampers the credibility of elections. They urged Parliament to fast-track essential electoral legislation, including the referendum bill and the IEBC amendment on constituency boundary delimitation.
Another pressing issue raised is the delay in recruiting Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners. Uchaquzi noted that the absence of commissioners has left several electoral units without representation, undermining democracy and denying citizens their right to be represented.
Furthermore, the coalition highlighted concerns about the pileup of over 600,000 new ID card applications, with thousands more pending replacements of lost IDs. Without urgent resolution, many Kenyans could be disenfranchised, unable to access government services or exercise their voting rights.
The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in electoral processes also came under scrutiny, with Uchaguzi warning of the dangers of misinformation and disinformation. While AI has potential benefits for good governance, the government’s role in spreading inconsistent and inaccurate information is exacerbating public mistrust in democratic institutions.
In conclusion, Uchaguzi Platform called for a concerted effort by citizens, government, and electoral actors to safeguard democracy. The platform urged Kenyans to participate actively in democracy, asserting that without engagement, democracy in the country could crumble.
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