Human rights defender, activist and Mtetezi Grassroot Convener Francis Awino have called for a renewed culture of civic engagement and accountability, urging closer collaboration between activists, institutions, and students to build a more informed and participatory society.
Speaking during a public address, Awino emphasized the need to reconnect academia with real-world experiences, particularly for students of political science at the University of Nairobi. He recalled a past instance where a grassroots leader was invited to lecture students despite lacking formal academic credentials, underscoring that knowledge extends beyond classrooms into lived experience.
Awino proposed the creation of structured platforms where students can engage directly with activists and practitioners, describing it as a critical step toward nurturing a “thinking nation” grounded in practical understanding of governance and ideology.
Turning to governance and recent political developments, Awino revisited the events surrounding the Finance Bill 2024, noting that activists had raised early concerns about its impact on ordinary citizens. He stated that the failure to heed calls for dialogue contributed to nationwide demonstrations, reflecting long-standing frustrations over economic justice and representation.
“This struggle has a history, and that history began here,” he said.
On accountability, Awino criticized what he termed as inconsistent leadership and warned against systems that allow individuals to cling to power without transparency. He maintained that any contested leadership outcomes must be declared null and void and subjected to an independent and public audit to restore credibility and trust.
He referenced Petition No. 772 of 2025, filed against the Registrar of Trade Unions, Anne Kanake, as an example of pursuing justice through lawful and constitutional means. Awino emphasized that activists are seeking audited financial records and greater transparency in the management of workers’ contributions.
“You cannot collect money from hardworking citizens and then fail to account for it,” he stated.
Awino further condemned a system he described as failing workers, arguing that leadership must be grounded in accountability, renewal, and the genuine will of the people. He warned that prolonged control without transparency risks institutional decline, drawing parallels with historical cases of entrenched leadership, including the later years of Robert Mugabe.
While acknowledging the heavy toll of demonstrations, including loss of lives, Awino emphasized the importance of peaceful engagement moving forward. He announced plans for formal dialogue with law enforcement agencies and the Registrar of Trade Unions, expressing confidence in structured engagement as a path to resolution.
Reaffirming national unity, Awino called on Kenyans to remain steadfast and collective in their pursuit of justice. “We are one nation, serving one God,” he said.
“Tunaenda kwa amani, lakini tunaenda na ukweli,” he concluded—signaling a commitment to peaceful action anchored in truth.
