The proclamation of a new constitution in August 2010 marked another important milestone in Kenya's long-standing struggle for democratisation. Controversial elections in 2013 and 2017, however, exposed the political challenges facing Kenya despite the new constitution with its decentralisation of political decision-making. Increasing social and economic inequality, rapid urbanisation and the effects of climate change are just some of the challenges confronting Kenya's politics.

FES Kenya supports its partners in their efforts to initiate socially just, ecologically sustainable, democratic and constructive policy changes. The overriding objectives of cooperation between the FES and its Kenyan partners are a socio-ecological transformation aimed at an economic system that benefits all Kenyans and which shuns all forms of exploitation, just urban development that reduces political and economic inequality by allowing city dwellers to participate and good work opportunities together with free trade unions that truly represent their members and stand up for social justice and security.

The FES works with various partners and formats in order to achieve these goals. The main focus is on dialogue and the creation of working groups where various cooperate on specific issues and network with the aim of bringing about socially just political change. For example, a working group consisting of trade unions, economists and civil society organisations is campaigning for fair wages and improved social security, and in a working group set up by the FES, various civil society organisations and political decision-makers are networking with the joint goal of creating more social housing in Nairobi. At the level of decentralised counties, the FES continues to support its partners in their efforts to improve political participation in specific topics. At this level, for example, groups are working to achieve a fairer distribution of land or adjustment to climate change. FES Kenya also runs various youth programmes such as the Political Leadership and Governance Programme (PLGP) and the Global Outlook Trade Union School (GOTUS) which promote bright young people from the civil society, various political parties and trade unions.

The FES project in South Sudan has also been managed from Nairobi since 2017.

Learn more about our work in Kenya on the project website.