The Democracy and Human Rights Festival is an annual interactive and engaging platform that gathers practitioners and relevant stakeholders in Kenya to share experiences, exchange views and knowledge, harness lessons and examine good practices in pursuit of human rights, gender equality and in democratic consolidation in Kenya. 

The 2020 Annual Democracy and Human Rights Festival will be a 5-day hybrid festival organised by diverse actors, including civil society, cultural, media, arts actors, supported by the Embassy of Sweden – Nairobi, through ForumCiv. These actors are currently implementing projects aiming at strengthening Democracy, Human Rights, and Gender Equality in Kenya.  

MONDAY 7 DECEMBER

PLENARY | Opening session 

Venue: The Kenya Cultural Centre Time: 09:00 - 10:00

  • Creative performances 
  • Opening remarks from the planning team representative 
  • Remarks from Jackson Obare, Regional Manager, ForumCiv 
  • Remarks from Swedish Ambassador 

PANEL | Unmasking the complexities around BBI 

Creative Performances. Time: 10:00 – 13:00  

Moderator: Danish Odongo

Panellists:

  • Fredrick Okango | Secretary General Thirdway Alliance 
  • Melvin Thogo | Secretary General UON Parklands 
  • Wilkester Aduma | Governance Activist 
  • Bob Mkangi | Constitutional Lawyer 
  • Boniface Mwangi | Team Courage / Founder Pawa254  

TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER

CASE STUDIES: Inspiring social change through creativity and innovation 

Venue: The Kenya Cultural Centre Time: 09:00 - 13:00

Creative Performances & Short film screening and discussion. Time: 09:00-10:00

CASE STUDIES: Inspiring social change through creativity and innovation

Moderator: Prof. Kimani Njogu, Twaweza Communications

Discussants 

  • Njeri Mwangi | Pawa254 
  • Gado Mwampemba | Buni Media 
  • Lizzie Kiama | This Ability Trust** 
  • Octopizzo | Octopizzo Foundation 
  • Joy Mboya | GoDown Arts Centre 

 PANEL | How do we stir creativity and innovation in tackling rising challenges  

Creative performances. Moderator: George Gachara, HEVA Fund

Panellists:

  • Valentine Zikki | WiBO Culture 
  • Nicholas Songora | MAYE CBO 
  • Shikki | Lawyer and Artivist 
  • Mwongela Kamencu | Artivist  

WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER

PANEL | The right to health and access to health care in times of Covid-19 

Venue: The Kenya Cultural Centre. Time: 09:00 – 13:00  

Creative Performance 

Moderator: Dr. Andrew Kamau, Medical Doctor & Human Rights Activist 

Panellists:

  • Dr. Chibanzi Mwachonda | Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) 
  • Njoki Gachanja | Human Rights Activist 
  • Hussein Khalid | Haki Africa 
  • Dr. Edwin Rono |  
  • Nderitu Muya | Medical Doctor 

How do we narrow the widening inequality gap? 

Time: 14:30 – 16:00   

Moderator: Kiama Mutemi, Medical Doctor & Human Rights Activist  

Panellists:

  • Darius Okolla |  
  • Lucia Ayela |  
  • Mzalendo Wanjira |  
  • Ndung’u Wainaina |  
  • Chris Obuor | 

THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER

CASE STUDIES | Women Human Rights Defender in Kenya: The Struggle Gains and Opportunities

Venue: The Kenya Cultural Centre Time: 09:00 - 13:00

Creative Performance

Moderator: Njoki Ngumi | The Nest

Panellists:

  • Dr. Roseline Galgalu | Isiolo 
  • Fatuma  | Wajir 
  • Wendo Aszed | Dandelion Africa 
  • Roseline Orwa | Rona Foundation 
  • Rachael Mwikali | GCHRD-K 

FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER

PANEL | Intersex: Unmasking the challenges, stigma and discrimination 

Venue: Alliance Francaise Nairobi. Time: 09:00 - 13:00

Creative Performance 

Moderator: Kaz, Kaz Entertainment 

Panellists:

  • John  Chigiti | LGBTQI Rights Activist 
  • Donna Awuor  | GALCK 
  • Linda Kamau | KELIN 
  • Almasi Hassan | Intersex Righst Activist 

PLENARY | Closing session 

Time: 09:00 - 13:00

  • Remarks from Catherine Khamali, Programme Manager, ForumCiv 
  • Remarks from Embassy of Sweden