“The youth have not given up. They are determined to shape the future of their country.”
At our latest Fireside Peace Chat, we welcomed Shelter City guest Wangechi Grace Kahuria, Executive Director of IMLU, for a conversation on youth movements in Kenya and the importance of defending civic space.
Drawing from her work supporting survivors of torture and documenting enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, Wangechi reflected on the realities facing young people who continue to advocate for accountability and democratic participation despite increasing pressure.
The discussion explored how Kenya’s youth-led protests have grown beyond opposition to a single policy, becoming a broader movement calling for transparency, justice, and responsive governance. At the same time, Wangechi shared how civic space is increasingly constrained through arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters, intimidation, and the spread of disinformation.
Wangechi stressed that defending human rights is never the work of one person alone. Collaboration between civil society organisations, communities, and international partners remains essential to supporting those who continue to speak out.
As Wangechi reflected, organisations like IMLU play an important role in ensuring that people are not left to face these challenges alone by providing support to survivors and standing alongside those working to protect human rights.
The Fireside Peace Chats create space for practitioners to share the lived realities behind today’s peace and justice challenges, reminding us that meaningful change begins by listening to the people working on the frontlines every day.
Wangechi was hosted in Shelter City Middelburg, with the support of the Gemeente Middelburg and Justice & Peace Netherlands. Thank you to Wangechi Grace Kahuria for sharing her experiences and reflections, and to everyone who joined us for this conversation.
