Do Human and Digital Rights Organisations Need a Coalition?

As part of the Kenya Safe and Inclusive Digital Space (KenSafeSpace) Action, KICTANet undertook a needs assessment of organizations working in the human rights and digital rights sectors to understand the potential for collaborative efforts within the digital ecosystem.

The European Union funds the KenSafeSpace Action, which is implemented by Internews, Internet Without Borders (IWB), and KICTANET.

The assessment, themed “Building a Stronger Local Network for Digital Rights and Safety,” specifically sought to determine if a coalition was needed to enable member organizations to contribute to and pursue common goals.

The KenSafeSpace consortium also collaborates with the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), Tribeless Youth, Mzalendo Trust, and Watoto Watch Network (WWN) to support their advocacy and research activities aimed at fostering a democratic, safe, and inclusive digital environment in Kenya.

Key Challenges Identified

The assessment held virtually highlighted several challenges faced by organizations:

Lack of Diversity and Inclusivity: Many organizations lack diverse expertise and experience in working with different groups and stakeholders.
Weak and Unfunded Coalitions: Existing coalitions often lack the financial resources and capacity to address critical issues.
Inadequate Strategies: Organisations often have poorly planned strategies with unclear targets and goals.
Lack of Relationship with Other Partners: Organizations tend to work in silos, missing opportunities for collaboration and synergy. According to Nicodemus Nyakundi, this isolation weakens their impact: “Like the singles, you can’t be like Ajah cover trades… You must be capacitated or specialized in a given factor.”
Reactive Strategies: Approaches often react to political occurrences or spontaneous issues, lacking a sustained, long-term impact.
Inadequate Understanding of Technical Issues: Organisations often cannot fully understand and address technical challenges.

The Need for a Coalition

The assessment emphasized the importance of coalitions to:

Respond effectively to emerging issues.
Facilitate the transition of organizations.
Address issue-based concerns.

Strengths and Gaps in Coalitions

While coalitions offer strengths such as joint activities and addressing topical issues, they also face gaps:

Resources for Coordination: Shared resources can be a strength, but also a gap due to the potential lack of resources to meet all needs.
Expertise: Diverse expertise is a strength, but lacking capacity building among members can weaken the coalition.
Private Sector Competition: The non-profit nature of civil society work can sometimes create competition with the profit-driven private sector.

Nyakundi noted the importance of bridging this gap by articulating issues well and emphasizing the need for inclusion.

“In articulating our issues, we emphasize the imperative of inclusion, ensuring the rationale for our activities is always transparent,” said Nyakundi.

Support and Resources Needed

A poll conducted during the session revealed that organizations would benefit most from receiving support and resources in the areas of training, policy development, technical assistance, and legal support.

Organizations represented during the webinar included Jenga Jumuiya CBO, Gifted Community Centre, Y+ Global, Sheria Online, HAPA-KENYA, North Rift Theatre Ambassadors, Eldohub, KICTANet, Great Ladies Organisation, ICON Data and Learning Labs, Ushindi Empowerment Group, The Open University of Kenya, Kijiji Yeetu Community Network, Kwa Wote Initiative, Iawrt Kenya, HAI Africa, CENTRE AGAINST TORTURE KENYA FOUNDATION, Eagle Wings Organization, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Black Coffee Network, WeCare, Internews, Business, SPH, COSWA-K, JLS, Next-Gen Agri-Tech, Transparency International Kenya, IDEA MEDIA, Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance, Mtoto News International, YOWPSUD, Mandera Water Sewage Company, Association for Accessibility and Equality, Pwani Feminist Futures Alliance, Winaml up Chanua Dada CBO (CHADALA), Moi University, UASIN GISHU JOURNALIST CBO, ACWICT, Build Up, KINGDOM BANK LTD, and TY.