Dialogue and Civic Spaces

The hbs contributes to democratic governance and social cohesion in the region through advancing civic and political spaces for dialogue. We partner with civil society, academia, private sector and decision makers from the region and beyond to discuss pertinent issues with regards to political, social and economic developments affecting the region. We work with youth to explore and engage in alternative forms of politics towards a more democratic future; and support civic actors to leverage new approaches to protect and advance spaces for democratic practice.

MISSING VOICES ANNUAL REPORT 2024: ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES INCREASED BY 450% IN 2024

Press Release

There are five major highlights of this year’s 2024 Missing Voices Report Enforced disappearances by police up by nearly five times from 2023 June and July were the deadliest months, same in 2023 Nairobi was the deadliest county for EJKs followed by Kiambu and Migori Less than 2% of police related EJKs are in court Most victims of enforced disappearances were neither prosecuted nor allowed to demonstrate their innocence in court of law. They have not received justice or compensation by the time of the report.

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POLICE IMPUNITY: WHAT THE MARAGA TASKFORCE SAID

The Maraga Task Force submitted its report to President William Ruto in November 2023. The task force was established to identify the legal, policy, administrative, institutional, and operational challenges hindering effective service delivery by the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service. This article from the Missing Voices Report 2023 provides detailed insights into the outcomes of the Maraga report.

By Missing Voices

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Recent Publications

Missing Voices Annual Report 2024 | Brutal Policing

Missing Voices documented a total of 159 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in 2024. Out of the 159 cases, 104 (65%) were incidents of police-related killings, while 55 (35%) were those of enforced disappearances. 2024 marked the year that the coalition recorded the highest number of cases of enforced disappearances. Before then, 2019 had the highest number of cases of enforced disappearances at 38.

Missing voices Annual Report 2023 | End Police Impunity

Publication

On Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, the Missing Voices Coalition launched its 2023 Annual Report focused on the theme "End Police Impunity" at the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi Office. This marks the fourth report and a significant achievement for the Coalition since its inception. The report highlighted several key developments related to discussions on police impunity in the country for the year 2023. One major highlight was the reduction in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances compared to the previous year. The report detailed a 9.2% decrease in extrajudicial killings, from 130 in 2022 to 118 in 2023, and a 54.5% decrease in enforced disappearances, from 22 in 2022 to 10 in 2023.

All publication on Dialogue and Civic Spaces

Our Programme goals

Defending Civic Spaces

A citizen Guide on your responsibilities and rights.

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a citizen? Is it all about possessing a Kenyan Identification Card and/or passport? How about what are your rights and responsibilities as a citizen? Being a citizen is more than just being legally recognized. You have a responsibility to defend and protect your rights as well as those of everyone else in the community. Heinrich Boell Foundation in collaborated with LightBox Africa developed a Citizen Guide. Change Ni Sisi Scroll down to learn more about some of your rights and responsibilities as a citizen that you take for granted.

Dialogue for Democracy

Missing Voices Coalition Unveils Alarming Trends in Police Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Kenya: The 2022 Accountability Report

Article

The 2022 report was launched on Friday 24th March 2023 , held in Yala, marked the launch of the Accountability report, shedding light on the Statistics and Trends of Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances in the country.

By Faiba Kombo

Uwaga Music Video

'Uwaga,' a music video, aimed to inspire Kenyans to stand up to police brutality by demonstrating the power of unity and reimagining a nation based on equality and justice. Uwaga, which stars Juliani, Flawless Konya, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, and Abudabi Tembekali, was created in collaboration with the Missing Voices coalition, of which hbs Nairobi is a member.

UWAGA - Juliani, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, Abudabi Tembekali, Flawless Konya (official video) - Missing Voices

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