Grassroots Women Demand End to Intimidation of Accountability Defenders
Grassroots women leaders from across Nairobi have called on the government to end what they describe as growing intimidation, harassment and attacks targeting civil society organisations and individuals championing public accountability, warning that such actions threaten transparency and good governance.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the women said attacks on organisations advocating for accountability ultimately silence ordinary citizens seeking answers on the use of public resources and undermine efforts to fight corruption.
“If organisations with lawyers, national visibility and public support can be intimidated for demanding accountability, what protection remains for an ordinary woman questioning the misuse of public resources in her own community? That is the fear many grassroots women are living with today,” the statement read.
The statement, signed by community leaders, chama leaders, mama mbogas, salon owners and women community organisers under the Badili Africa initiative, said civil society organisations play a critical role in helping communities demand accountability over stalled development projects, poor public services and the misuse of taxpayers’ money.
The women argued that accountability is not an abstract concept but one that directly affects the daily lives of millions of Kenyans, particularly women who often bear the burden of failed public services.
They noted that when corruption goes unchecked, communities are left without essential services such as medicine in public health facilities, clean water, functional markets and quality infrastructure, forcing families to shoulder additional financial and social burdens.
“When accountability is attacked, corruption thrives. And when corruption thrives, women and families pay the highest price,” the women said.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as an increasing climate of fear characterised by intimidation, unlawful surveillance, office raids, enforced disappearances and the targeting of civic actors.
According to the statement, such actions discourage citizens from questioning the management of public resources and weaken democratic participation.
The women called on the government to immediately end intimidation, harassment, surveillance and attacks against civil society organisations, human rights defenders and citizens working to promote transparency and accountability. They also urged authorities to conduct independent investigations into reported cases of unlawful surveillance, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and attacks against civic actors, while ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
They further appealed for the protection of grassroots women leaders and community organisers who continue to demand transparency in the use of public resources and asked the government to safeguard every Kenyan’s constitutional right to organise, speak freely and hold leaders accountable without fear.
The women warned that attacks on civic organisations today could easily extend to ordinary citizens tomorrow, including market traders, youth leaders and community members questioning stalled projects or missing public funds.
Reaffirming their commitment to promoting accountability, the grassroots leaders said they would continue organising their communities and demanding transparent leadership, insisting that public resources belong to the people and that accountability remains the foundation of a just, democratic and inclusive society.
