Hon Kiraitu Murungi speaking at a past TYC event.
Introduction
The Youth Cafe is please to partner for the success of The People Dialogue Festival (PDF), a flagship initiative by the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD- Kenya) and stands as a beacon of inclusive dialogue and transformative engagement in Kenya. This annual event unites leaders, citizens, government institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to discuss pressing societal challenges, promote meaningful citizen engagement, and co-create solutions for Kenya's sustainable development.
The inaugural PDF was successfully convened in March 2019, with subsequent editions held in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. The upcoming 7th edition, themed "Building a Collaborative Democracy for Kenya’s Sustainable Future," is set to take place from 5th to 8th March 2025 at Uhuru Park, Nairobi.
To deepen its impact, PDF has expanded beyond the four-day annual event in Nairobi, rolling out interschool dialogues engaging 18 schools since 2023 and piloting county-level editions across four counties in 2025. By bridging diverse perspectives and fostering innovation, CMD-Kenya ensures the PDF remains a dynamic space for citizens, experts, state and non-state actors to engage in meaningful dialogue and action.
Justification
The People Dialogue Festival (PDF) is an essential initiative in addressing Kenya’s pressing need for inclusive dialogue, particularly in the wake of significant political developments that have amplified divisions and ignited public discourse on governance, accountability, and inclusivity. At a time when public trust in political systems is fragile, PDF stands out as a critical mechanism to bridge the gap between leaders and citizens, fostering national unity and promoting participatory democracy.
Kenya’s political landscape has been characterized by tensions that have deepened societal divisions and threatened cohesion. PDF offers a unique and inclusive platform that ensures dialogue extends beyond political elites to include marginalized voices—persons with disabilities (PWDs), women, youth, minorities, grassroots organizations, and nontraditional actors like citizen movements. This inclusion is vital for rebuilding trust in Kenya’s political systems and ensuring that the voices shaping governance and development reflect the country’s diversity.
Since its inception in 2019, PDF has demonstrated exponential growth in participation, from fewer than 1,000 attendees in its first edition to over 9,600 attendees in 2024. This diverse audience includes elected leaders, government officials, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, youth groups, women’s organizations, media, academia, trade unions, and even diplomatic missions. The increasing interest underscores the public's demand for open, inclusive, and meaningful platforms to engage on critical societal issues.
In a society increasingly skeptical of political processes, dialogue is more than a conversation—it is a lifeline for democratic engagement. PDF embodies this principle, creating a safe space for dialogue that is citizen-driven and responsive to Kenya’s developmental needs. It aligns with Article 4(2) of the 2010 Constitution, which declares Kenya a multiparty democratic state and underscores the importance of fostering multiparty democratic state in governance.
Kenya’s history and ongoing challenges demand intentional efforts to foster reconciliation, collaboration, and trust among diverse actors. PDF provides an avenue for state and non-state actors, as well as ordinary citizens, to engage constructively, paving the way for solutions to governance and development challenges. By bridging societal divides, PDF contributes to sustainable peace and inclusive development, ensuring that Kenya builds on its hard-won gains in governance and national unity.
PDF is uniquely designed to reflect the priorities of Kenyans. Through a collaborative approach, stakeholders across sectors co-develop themes and topics that align with citizens’ needs and aspirations. This ensures the dialogue remains relevant and impactful, addressing priority issues in governance, social equity, and sustainable development.
Supporting the People Dialogue Festival is an investment in Kenya’s democratic future. It is a commitment to fostering inclusivity, strengthening relationships between citizens and leaders, and driving forward the collective good. By supporting PDF, you contribute to a movement that prioritizes meaningful dialogue as the foundation for a more unified, accountable, and prosperous Kenya.
Overall Objective
To provide a dynamic, inclusive platform that facilitates dialogue among political parties, citizens, and other stakeholders to promote governance reforms, address socio-economic challenges, and safeguard Kenya’s democratic gains.
Specific Objectives
1. Promote Inclusive Governance
Empower at least 2,000 youth, women, and minority group representatives to participate actively in discussions shaping Kenya’s governance and socio-economic policies.
Achieve a 25% increase in participation from marginalized groups compared to the 2024 edition.
Leverage partnerships with at least 30 state and non-state organizations and grassroots networks for outreach and mobilization.
Strengthen inclusive governance by ensuring the representation of underrepresented voices in national dialogue.
2. Enhance Accountability and Transparency
Conduct 20 thematic sessions on citizen rights, responsibilities, and issue-based politics, involving at least 200 participants per session.
Provide an opportunity for at least 30 organizations and grassroots networks to distribute informational materials on governance, accountability, and Kenya’s development goals.
Engage experts and advocates to lead sessions and produce materials in accessible formats.
Build citizens’ capacity to hold institutions accountable and advocate for their welfare.
3. Foster National Reconciliation and Unity
Host five dialogue sessions focused on rebuilding trust among 2,000 participants, including political actors and citizens from diverse backgrounds.
Partner with 5 peacebuilding organizations to facilitate the sessions.
Address societal divisions and enhance trust in governance institutions.
4. Support Collaborative Governance Reforms
Develop three actionable policy recommendations for governance reforms through collaboration between political parties, civil society, and private sector representatives.
Secure commitments from at least five key stakeholders to champion and implement the proposed reforms.
Facilitate structured workshops and consultations during the festival.
Advance sustainable development, peace, and national cohesion through inclusive policymaking.
Expected Impact
The expected impact from PDF 2025 includes:
a. National Reconciliation and Unity:
Foster meaningful healing and trust-building across political, ethnic, and social divides, creating a foundation for enhanced national cohesion and unity.
Strengthen relationships among diverse groups through inclusive dialogue, reducing polarization and promoting shared aspirations for Kenya's future.
b. Inclusive Governance and Civic Empowerment:
Amplify the voices of underrepresented groups—including youth, women, PWDs, ethnic and other minorities, and marginalized communities—ensuring their active participation in shaping governance and socio-economic policies.
Empower citizens to engage in the democratic process, promoting a culture of inclusion and equality in decision-making processes.
c. Accountability and Transparency:
Equip citizens with the knowledge and tools needed to hold leaders accountable, fostering a more informed and engaged electorate.
Promote issue-based politics and transparency in governance, driving the demand for ethical leadership and responsive institutions.
d. Collaborative Political and Socio-Economic Solutions:
Strengthen partnerships among political actors, civil society, and the private sector to co-create innovative solutions to Kenya’s pressing socio-economic challenges.
Promote sustainable development and peace through collective action, ensuring that policies and initiatives reflect the needs and aspirations of all Kenyans.
Methodology & Set Up
The People Dialogue Festival (PDF) is dedicated to fostering active and meaningful participation in all its sessions while upholding the fundamental freedoms and rights of each participant. Breaking away from traditional formats, PDF uses creative arts and innovative approaches to create informal yet impactful spaces for discussions on governance, unity, and democracy. Activities will include keynote speeches, workshops, masterclasses, roundtable discussions, plenary sessions, art exhibitions, lectures, panel discussions, interviews, and edutainment.
These interactive formats are designed to promote learning, collaboration across sectors, and the open exchange of ideas. PDF 2025 aspires to create a dynamic and collaborative environment where citizens, leaders, and civil society can work together to find solutions for Kenya’s democratic growth and sustainable future.
The Festival will be organized into several "villages," each focused on a specific audience or theme, to ensure broad participation and engagement:
Ni Sisi Ni Sasa Village: A dialogue space for participants under 18, where they can engage in age-appropriate discussions on democratic principles, ensuring their inclusion in the broader national conversation.
Youth Village: A platform for young adults (18-35) to share experiences and discuss issues such as governance, development, and civic responsibility, fostering leadership and civic competencies.
Political Dialogue Village: Focused on inter-party dialogue and issue-based discussions, this village will provide space for political leaders and citizens to engage in debates on governance, inclusion, and reforms.
SDG Village: A space for dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where participants can explore local implementation strategies, share experiences, and discuss progress towards these global commitments.
SRHR Village: Will provide a platform for open and age-appropriate dialogue on access to sexual and reproductive health services, gender equality, and the empowerment of individuals to make informed choices about their health. Participants will explore policies, challenges, and solutions to improve SRHR outcome.
Exhibition Space: This area will showcase the work of political and non-political organizations focused on advancing democracy and SDG-related initiatives, offering a chance for knowledge exchange and collaboration.