The sixth edition of the People Dialogue Festival (PDF) kicked off today, 6 March 2024, amidst palpable enthusiasm and anticipation at the iconic University of Nairobi Chancellor’s Court. This year’s gathering, convened under the overarching theme of “Competition and Collaboration in Democratic Development,” brought together over 15000 participants from diverse backgrounds, including political parties, civil society, development partners, academia, government, diplomatic corps and various universities and high schools.

Over the last six years, the purpose of the People Dialogue Festival has remained the same: to provide a safe space to enable citizens, government, political and civic actors and other key stakeholders to engage in meaningful, respectful dialogue on some of the most critical issues of our time, including this year’s focus on the State of the Economy; Citizens Economic and Social Rights; Cost and Quality of Education; Governance and the State of our Independent Institutions; The Green Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. In this way, the Festival seeks to safeguard Kenya’s democratic gains, deepen meaningful inclusion and promote meaningful public participation. At the same time, it is a place for citizens as voters to meet political parties as guarantors of our multiparty democracy.

The 2024 Festival commenced with a distinguished line-up of high-level dignitaries, politicians and diplomatic missions, underscoring the significance of this annual gathering. Among the notable attendees were Ambassador Schønemann (Ambassador of Denmark to Kenya), Prof. Washington Omondi (Composer of Kenya’s National Anthem), H. E Henriette Geiger (European Union Ambassador to Kenya), and the esteemed chief guest, Hon. Farah Maalim EGH (Dadaab MP), representing Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula (Speaker of the National Assembly). This session set the tone for the forum, emphasising its pivotal role as a platform that advances critical political conversations, promotes peace, and champions sustainable development.

The speakers highlighted the imperative of inclusivity, stressing the importance of engaging women, youth, and children in political discourse to ensure their voices are heard and their perspectives considered.

In his remarks, read on his behalf by Hon. Farah Maalim, the Chief Guest Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetangula, Speaker of the National Assembly, underscored the unique significance of the People Dialogue Festival in Kenya’s current political, social, and economic context. Noting that CMD-Kenya has expanded its impact beyond strengthening political parties, Hon. Wetangula noted that the topics of discussion present a beautiful and carefully thought-out tapestry of issues that should interest all Kenyans and friends of Kenya. Citing the famous Latin phrase “Vox populi, vox Dei” (The voice of the people is the voice of God), the Speaker pointed out the sanctity of dialogue, and hence the important role of the festival in giving Kenyans a platform to speak from the heart on issues of shared concern.

Hon. Priscilla Nyokabi, the outgoing Chairperson of CMD-Kenya, noted that the PDF2024 comes on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of CMD-Kenya’s existence, citing PDF as a testimony to the organisation’s growing impact. She lauded the framing of PDF2024, the mobilisation of diverse and exciting constituencies, and for emphasising the role of youth in shaping Kenya’s democratic futures.

Aside from plenary sessions, the Festival also features Six Villages, organised by thematic and demographic groups. The Village System represents a pioneering PDF methodology that intentionally seeks to close the power distance between the policymakers, policymakers and key stakeholders.

• The Political Dialogue Village explored key themes surrounding election observation in Kenya’s democratic context. Topics included the importance of ongoing engagement in electoral processes, the multifaceted nature of democracy beyond ballot casting, the critical role of observers in ensuring transparency and accountability, the historical evolution of election observation, and the distinct contributions of foreign and citizen observers in supporting the electoral process and mitigating election violence.

• In the vibrant setting of the YOUTH VILLAGE, diverse discussions unfolded, revolving around the pivotal role of young people in good governance processes and democracy. The importance of public participation emerged as a recurring theme, underscoring it as an indispensable tool for young people to shape accountable and effective governance practices. From financial planning to mechanisms for meaningful citizen engagement, participants exchanged diverse perspectives in a dynamic debate-style format, reflecting the depth of engagement and commitment to driving positive change.

• At the HEKIMA VILLAGE, an intergenerational dialogue sparked compelling discussions on governance and ethical leadership, focusing on addressing corruption. Participants gleaned valuable insights, emphasising the need for each generation to play a proactive role in effecting meaningful change through a revolution.

• The SDGS VILLAGE provided attendees a platform for in-depth discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their interconnectedness with democracy, sustainability, and inclusive development efforts. Discussions centred around the evolution of sustainability and democracy, Kenya’s progress in aligning policies with SDGs, challenges such as outdated data, corruption and tribalism, and strategies for building synergies and fostering SDG implementation and grassroots collaboration.

• The NI SISI NI SASA VILLAGE, dedicated to high school students and teenagers,facilitated empowering conversations, empowering youth to recognise their agency in shaping democratic spaces and catalysing positive change within their communities. Through inspirational stories by key speakers, the sessions gave students valuable insights into the intricacies of creating community impact.

• The CULINARY CORNER showcased innovative partnerships promoting environmentally responsible cooking methods and culinary creations crafted from leftover food ingredients, highlighting the possibilities in the nexus of sustainability and nutrition.