The Youth Cafe staff interacting with young anti-corruption champions.
The Hekima Village at the People Dialogue Festival offered a unique space for intergenerational dialogue, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to share experiences and foster enhanced communication and understanding. Throughout the festival, Hekima Village played a pivotal role in hosting insightful discussions and transformative dialogues on governance, ethical leadership, and gender equality. From exploring the intricacies of governance to addressing gender disparities, the village provided a platform for thought-provoking conversations and actionable insights. Notably, on Day 2, Hekima Village was merged with the Political Parties Village, accommodating popular demand by participants and allowing for discussions on necessary political reforms and the next steps.
Host Organisation - Center for Multiparty Democracy
Organisations involved - Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, The Youth Cafe, Ni Sisi Ni Sasa Schools, Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) & Royal Danish Embassy Kenya & SIDPAK Consortium
Governance & Ethical Leadership: Navigating towards a sustainable future
The session on Governance & Ethical Leadership delved into the critical importance of present actions in shaping Kenya’s future trajectory. Dr. David Oginde delivered an insightful speech, highlighting the necessity of ethical decision-making and accountability in governance. He underscored the contributions of past leaders like Prof. Wangari Maathai and John Michuki, emphasizing the need for exemplary leadership to address contemporary challenges. Corruption emerged as a pervasive issue undermining Kenya’s governance landscape, eroding public trust, distorting resource allocation, and impeding socio-economic progress.
Participants acknowledged the need for comprehensive reforms, including strengthening anti-corruption institutions, enhancing transparency, and promoting ethical leadership at all levels. However, concerns were raised regarding the low effectiveness of existing measures due to political interference, institutional weaknesses, and lack of transparency.
Addressing governance challenges requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing combating corruption, preserving ethical values, and fortifying accountability mechanisms. Participants emphasized the role of civic education, advocacy, and legal avenues in holding leaders accountable. They also stressed the importance of empowering institutions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and ensuring fair justice delivery in corruption cases.
Open Mic - Cost & Quality of Education
At the Open Mic session, hosted by Pacemaker International and Mtoto News, participants highlighted urgent concerns and proposed key recommendations. They emphasized the need for immediate measures to ensure education accessibility for all, calling on the government to invest in infrastructure and implement policies to alleviate financial burdens on students and families.
Comprehensive reforms were deemed essential to improve education quality, with a focus on investing in teaching facilities, addressing teacher-to-student ratio imbalances, and effectively implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). Bridging the digital divide emerged as a priority, advocating for digital skill development and policy reforms to address inequalities in digital literacy through partnerships between organizations and educational institutions. Additionally, participants urged collaborative efforts to prioritize community service learning and volunteerism, fostering a sense of responsibility towards education through partnerships involving government, NGOs, and community organizations.
Reflections of the Gen Z on Tackling Gender Inequalities
The session on reflections of Gen Z on tackling gender inequalities was led by students and delved into critical aspects of empowerment, inclusivity, and systemic changes. Governor Lusaka’s keynote address highlighted progress in political representation while addressing persistent challenges. Discussions focused on girls’ empowerment in rural areas, emphasizing access to basic needs like food and sanitary pads to prevent dropouts due to early pregnancies.
Workplace inclusivity for women and the need for stronger laws against femicide were also highlighted. Student panellists emphasized education’s role in promoting gender equality and reducing reliance on men for basic needs. The consensus emphasized acknowledging biological differences without perpetuating inequalities, advocating for systemic changes in education, workplace, legal frameworks, and societal norms to create a more equitable and inclusive society driven by Gen Z’s nuanced understanding and proactive measures.
Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress - A Report by the MSWG on the Realisation of the Not More Than 2/3 Gender Principle
The panel that discussed the report by the Multi-Sectoral Working Group (MSWG) on realizing the Not More Than 2/3 Gender Principle, proposed various legal, policy, and administrative measures. The recommendations included amending Articles 90, 97, and 98 of the Constitution to ensure proportional representation and establishing a Women Inclusion and Political Participation Fund. The discussion highlighted historical and present barriers to women’s political participation, with insights from representatives emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift and inclusivity of diverse groups like women with disabilities.
One speaker stressed the importance of internal party initiatives in addressing inclusion matters, while another emphasized constitutional amendments to ensure compliance with the gender rule. Hon. Esther Passaris highlighted the significant voting bloc women represent and the importance of solidarity and support for women’s political aspirations.
The session underscored the need for collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders to achieve gender parity and emphasized the importance of inclusivity, advocacy, and policy reforms. Inspire Inclusion
This session centered around inspiring inclusion, particularly for women and individuals with disabilities, with a strong emphasis on representation and policy reform. Notably, four of the five panellists were women with disabilities, setting the tone for the discussion. Keynote speakers celebrated Women’s Day and highlighted the importance of empowering women and fostering inclusivity. Hon. Njeri Maina emphasized the unique perspectives women bring to decisionmaking bodies, rooted in their understanding of communities and their needs.
Hon. Crystal Asige spoke about the necessity of representation for those directly affected by issues, advocating for greater awareness and action within the government. She demonstrated the importance of making space for others, especially the next generation of leaders and individuals with disabilities. The discussion also addressed strategies for inspiring inclusion, with Hon. Denitah Ghati stressing the need to dismantle structural barriers and ensure equitable access to education and representation.
Audience engagement underscored the importance of acknowledging invisible disabilities and advocating for tailored support. The panel concluded by highlighting the transformative power of representation, policy reform, and collective action in promoting inclusivity and equity for all.
“Walk the Talk” The Inclusion Question
This session delved into critical issues surrounding legislation and actions needed to promote inclusion in Kenya. Speakers emphasized the need for reasonable adjustments within Kenyan institutions to create space for persons with disabilities in leadership roles and the importance of political parties providing capacity-building opportunities for them. The concept of “walking the talk” was highlighted, stressing the importance of both information and action in promoting inclusivity.
The discussion also addressed challenges faced by individuals living with disabilities, such as isolation and limited understanding of their rights, emphasizing the need for awarenessraising initiatives and leveraging social media platforms. Distinctions were drawn between persons with disabilities and Special Interest Groups (SIGs), emphasizing the importance of recognizing the unique experiences of individuals with disabilities. Overall, the session underscored the collective responsibility of individuals, institutions, and policymakers in fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, rights are upheld, and the voices of all citizens are valued.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations from the Hekima Village
1. Ethical Leadership and Accountability:
Emulating past exemplary leaders’ actions, such as ethical decision-making and accountability, is crucial for driving sustainable development. Strengthening accountability mechanisms, enhancing legislative reforms, and promoting transparency in government operations are imperative steps in combating corruption and preserving ethical values.
2. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment:
Despite strides in gender equality, achieving the two-thirds gender rule remains a challenge. Promoting girls’ education, addressing rural girls’ needs, fostering gender equality within families and schools, and empowering women in leadership positions are crucial for lasting change. Advocacy for women running for office, transparency in candidate selection processes, and diverse representation in decision-making bodies are essential for gender parity.
3. Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities:
Creating inclusive environments for persons with disabilities involves implementing policies that empower them across sectors, including equal opportunities in recruitment and healthcare access. Educating the public about invisible disabilities, ensuring accessibility in buildings and education, and providing fair representation in leadership positions are vital. Political parties must actively equip persons with disabilities with skills and knowledge to run for office, while institutions should make reasonable adjustments to enable their participation and leadership.
4. Advocacy and Awareness for key issues that plaque the country:
Advocacy efforts should focus on empowering young people to challenge gender inequality and femicide, dismantling harmful stereotypes, and promoting gender equality. Development partners should support organisations empowering women regardless of political affiliation, while individuals should promote inclusion in daily interactions with persons with disabilities.