If we the people lower the guard, civic freedoms will slip away silently. Because oftentimes, those in power tend to manipulate systems and laws to suit their interests, therefore hurting those who are underprivileged. It begins when genuine cries and voices are dismissed and before long, the spaces where people speak and organize shrink. When civic space weakens, social development also suffers. Access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment declines because citizens cannot effectively demand better.
That is why the Civic Space Protection Summit, held in Nakuru on 17th–18th September 2025, was so important. It brought together civic leaders, governance stakeholders, activists, and development organizations to reflect on the state of civic freedoms in Kenya, share strategies to defend democracy, and strengthen solidarity in protecting the spaces where citizens can speak, organize, and act. For MuemAction Post, it was a defining moment.
Our Executive Director, Boniface Harrison, led our team at this year’s summit. He later shared a heartfelt message through his social media platforms thanking partners who continue to believe in our work. At MuemAction Post, we highly value these organizations for walking the journey with us, holding our hand with resources, and enabling us to impact fellow youth and communities at large.
In his remarks, Harrison began by acknowledging the Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO). He said, “I sincerely thank the Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO-Kenya) for their continued belief in my work since the Digital Democracy Fellowship. I remain grateful and committed to continued collaboration.” This partnership has been central in shaping our approach to civic engagement and implementing projects on tackling misinformation and disinformation in Kenya.
He went on to appreciate Article 19 Eastern Africa as a key supporter. He said, “To Article 19 Eastern Africa – thank you for your kind support in enabling me to be part of this summit. This opportunity is invaluable to me and the entire MuemAction Post team. We are committed to continue supporting and collaborating in your transformative work.” Their support made our presence in Nakuru possible and strengthened our resolve to champion freedoms for all.
InformAction Kenya also received recognition for their confidence in our work. Harrison said, “I appreciate InformAction Kenya for their confidence in our work. From our recent Hatua Podcast episode (Watch here), I look forward to more opportunities to work together.” Their collaboration highlights the power of digital dialogue in awakening civic consciousness.
Harrison then turned to the Civic Freedoms Forum, the convener of the summit. He said, “To the Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF) – you stand tall as a strong beacon in the civic space. With this being the fifth edition of the summit, and many more to come, we acknowledge your tireless dedication to keeping Kenya a free democracy for all. You inspire us, and I believe we will collaborate even more.”
At MuemAction Post, we believe the civic space cannot be taken for granted. It must be guarded, nurtured, and defended every day. With the support of CRECO, Article 19 Eastern Africa, InformAction Kenya, and the Civic Freedoms Forum, we stand stronger in our mission to build a freer and fairer society. From this summit and through continued collaborations, stay tuned for civic engagement projects. Civic Engagement is among our key pillars alongside Digital Skills, and Climate Action.
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