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A WEEK IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY

ForumCiv and Wajibu Wetu Programme partners PAWA254, Siasa Place and Creative Spills, will jointly commemorate the Democracy week with a series of week-long activities on Monday 13 September to Friday 17 September with both virtual and live events at the Kenya National Theatre and The Museums Of Kenya.

The events will focus on the crucial question of people’s role in democracy, amid widespread evidence of public disillusionment with the political class and governments of the day. 

The event brings together a vibrant mix of civil society practitioners, young and emerging activists, as well as influential policy practitioners.  The interactive format allows participants to exchange views on this important issue and reflecting people, power, and change.

The programme is in East Africa Time (UTC +3).

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #DefendingDemocracy

Monday 13 September

Opening Session

Time: 10–11.00 am
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Speeches and Creative Performances

  • Opening remarks from Michael Owino, the planning team representative,

  • Remarks from Jackson Obare, Regional Manager, ForumCiv ROESA

  • Remarks from Anna Stenvinkel, Secretary-General ForumCiv

  • Remarks from Helena Vikström, Embassy of Sweden

  • Remarks from Chief Guest, Dr. Willy Mutunga, Former Chief Justice, Republic of Kenya

Panel: Role of the Public Institution in defending democracy

Time: 11.00 am – 1.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: John Allan Namu

Panellists:

  • Representative | Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
  • Representative | Registrar of Political Parties
  • Mutemi wa Kiama 
  • Representative | Katiba Institute
  • Robi Chacha
Lunch | Interactive exhibitions

Time: 1.00–2.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Virtual Speaker Session

Time: 2–2.30 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Global lessons on actualising women representation in political parties structures.

  • Drude Dahlerup | Professor Emerita, Dept. of Political Science, Stockholm University and Honorary Professor at Roskilde University

Panel: How can we push political parties to have more women in their structures

Time: 2.30–4.30 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: Wilkister Aduma

Panellists:

  • Betty Adera | KANU
  • Bina Maseno | Badili Africa
  • Nerima Wako | Siasa Place
  • Beth Syengo | President Orange Democratic Party Women League

Tuesday 14 September

Plenary: Democracy Champions - Empowering stories from young changemakers

Time: 10.00 am –1.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: Njoki Gachana | Githurai Social Justice Centre

Speakers:

  • Suzanne Silantoi | Senatorial Aspirant
  • Hezbon Bahati | Creative
  • Patricia Mutheu | MCA
  • Juliana Oyalo 
  • Ahmed Bening | Deputy Secretary-General Pan Africa Youth Union | Ghana
  •  Young Changemaker | From Sweden
Lunch | Interactive exhibitions

Time: 1.00–2.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Panel: Place And Voice of Young People In the Democratisation and Electoral Processes

Time: 2.30–4.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: Danish Odongo

Panellists:

  • Scheaffer Okore 
  • Shiko Kihika | Tribeless Youth
  • CEO | National Youth Council
  • Arnold Maliba 
  • Mbuki Mburu 

Wednesday 15 September

Plenary: Impact of Covid-19 on democracy (Prerecorded videos)

Time: 10 am –1.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Video interviews on the impact of covid on democracy

  • Samuel Omare | Kayole (Youths – community perspectives)
  • Maryanne Wanjiru | Dandora (Youths – community perspectives)
  • Javan the poet
  • Brian Keter
  • Zaina Kombo
  • Rachael Mwikali

Moderator: Sylvia Matasi

Panellists:

  • Hussein Khalid | Haki Africa
  • Salome Nduta | Defenders Coalition
  • Boniface Mwangi
  • Mufasa the Poet
Watch the recording here
Lunch | Interactive exhibitions

Time: 1.00–2.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Plenary: Role of the media in shaping democracy

Time: 2.00–4.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: Danish Odongo

Panellists:

  • Jude Kaberia | AMWIK
  • Representative | AKU
  • Paul Otieno | Media Council of Kenya
  • Gabriel Oguda | Social Commentator
  • Sophia Wanuna
  • Nzau Musau

Thursday 16 September

Plenary: Rising Inequalities Media, Art, Moderated conversations with artists

Time: 10.00 am –1.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: Walter Sitati

Creative performances and Conversations with Artists.

  • Nelmo New Song | Mukuru Youth Initiative
  • Anthem Republic
  • KGZ Heavy Weight
  • Karembo
  • Niuru Band
Lunch | Interactive exhibitions

Time: 1.00–2.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Panel: Arts and democracy

Time: 2.00–4.00 pm
Venue: Kenya National Theatre

Moderator: Prof. Kimani Njogu

Panellists:

  • Javan Ofula | Poet
  • Shikkey | Laywer and a Poet
  • Dorphan | Social Commentator
  • Njeri Mwangi

Friday 17 September

Panel: Digital space and democracy

Time: 10.00 am –12.00 pm
Venue: The Museums of Kenya

Pollviews presentation on nexus between digital space and democracy.

Moderator: Valentine Njoroge | K24

Panellists:

  • Adelle Onyango 
  • Mariga Thoithi
  • Representative | Amnesty International
  • Njugush | Comedian
  • Abraham Mutai | Social Media Influencer
  • Stephanie Wachira
Lunch | Interactive exhibitions

Time: 1.00–2.00 pm
Venue: The Museums of Kenya

Plenary: Democracy Quiz and closing session

Time: 2.00–3.00 pm
Venue: The Museums of Kenya

Moderator: TBD

Participating Teams.