Nairobi
Kenya is a beacon in East Africa: the largest national economy, despite many problems a functioning democracy with an active civil society, but above all a young country with well-educated, committed people.
The foundation strengthens democracy and civic engagement in Kenya. It promotes entrepreneurship and free, fair trade. And it is a strong advocate for human rights.
At the same time, Nairobi is home to the Global Partnership Hub, the centre of excellence for development cooperation. The Hub generates knowledge and innovative concepts from the Global South - for a better future for North and South.
News
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Kenya Grapples with Deepening Repression as Gen Z Revolt Marks One Year
The death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody on June 7 has raised global alarm over Kenya’s rapidly shrinking civic space. His killing cast a dark shadow over the first anniversary of the Gen Z protests that shook the nation and reverberated across Africa on June 25, 2024. One year after young Kenyans took to the streets and the internet to demand economic justice, transparency, and good governance, the repression they sought to dismantle has only worsened. Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay, a lakeside town in western Kenya, for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General Eluid Lagat on X. He was transferred to Nairobi and died less than 12 hours later while in custody at Central Police Station. The government claimed he had hit his head on a cell wall, but an independent post-mortem revealed fatal head injuries, neck compression, and signs of severe beating—hallmarks of torture. His death shocked the nation not only for its brutality, but also for its timing, days before the first anniversary of the Gen Z revolt being marked on June 25.
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Africa’s $100 Billion Corruption Crisis: Can the Proposed International Court Stop the Bleeding?
Corruption is not just a governance failure—it is a full-blown economic crisis draining the lifeblood of many nations, rich and poor alike. Seventy years since the first wave of independence, Africa, with all its vast mineral wealth and untapped human capital remains paradoxically impoverished. The continent loses more than USD 100 billion every year through illicit financial flows, corruption, and theft—double the amount it receives in foreign aid. Yet, it continues to function as a net creditor to the world, subsidizing global economies while its own citizens suffer.
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The power of art in shaping society and reflecting change
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Kenya recently hosted a gripping edition of its Freedom Café, spotlighting the launch of “We Refuse to Be Victims,” a powerful poetry collection by Ugandan poet and activist Sam Mugumya. The event brought together over 100 writers, poets, artists, and activists to explore its role in defending democracy and human rights. Mugumya’s collection, written during his eight-year imprisonment in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prison Militaire de Ndolo, is a riveting testimony of survival and resilience under political repression. The 82 poems capture themes of injustice, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of freedom, offering a stark reminder of the human cost of authoritarianism.
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A new era of collaboration
Berlin, Germany - Friday, September 13, 2024 will be remembered as a historic moment for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) as it marked the realization of an innovative concept advocating for the exchange of labor and skills between the Global North and Global South. In Berlin, an MOU was signed between FNF, the Government of Kenya, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, and Qhala Trust. This initiative was born out of the recognition that while the Baby Boomer generation in the Global North is rapidly retiring, creating significant labor shortages, many young, talented professionals in the Global South face a lack of job opportunities.
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Where is President Ruto steering the country?
It was supposed to be a liberating blow. On the evening of July 11, 2024, Kenya's President Ruto issued a press release. Three pages of praise for his own government were followed by the real news on page four: all ministers and the Attorney General were dismissed immediately. The only exception was the Prime Minister, who also heads the Foreign Ministry. Ruto also announced immediate talks to broaden the government's base.
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Black Tuesday in Kenya as Gen Z overrun parliament, police kill 14
Fourteen people were killed and Parliament torched as stalwarts of President William Ruto passed controversial tax law which has provoked a popular uprising among young Kenyans. Gen Z protestors were staging the fifth of their “seven days of rage” hold-out against Ruto government’s hard-line stance on Finance Bill 2024. In 35 of Kenya’s 47 counties, they poured out in the streets in their thousands, shouting down the government, burning and looting properties associated with ruling party MPs.
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Bold Gen Z takes to streets, demands end to punitive finance bill
In what is being hailed as a new dawn for Kenya, the nation has experienced an unexpected uprising driven by a bold, new generation of young protesters. These determined activists on Tuesday took control of majority of Kenyan towns, exerting more pressure on Members of Parliament (MPs) to retract several unpopular tax proposals embedded in the 2024 Finance Bill. Before this spectacle and for days on end, they had joined their elder generations in opposing the tax proposals contained in the bill, a brainchild of President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to have Kenyans fully fund their own budget.
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The tale of continued disillusionment of the youth
The need for political education will steer the youth in Mozambique towards real change in the country. Fifty (50) years into independence, youth policies that exist through the National Youth Policy do not address current challenges. Opportunities are missed by youth due to the language barrier in Mozambique, which is further exacerbated by unemployment and limited academic opportunities caused by a lack of exposure and daily, mounting poverty. These issues are further entrenched by systemic challenges to governance in the country. Daniel Chapo’s cabinet is not inclusive, as he had promised during his campaign. What happens now? The Friedrich Naumann Foundation Sub-Saharan Africa office, in partnership with the Africa Centre for Governance and the Youth Parliament (Parlamento Juvenil Moçambique), seeks to unpack the status of the youth question following the electoral violence in Mozambique and how this has continued to contribute to human rights violations.
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Delegation of the Democratic Alliance Visits Liberal Partners in Brussels and Berlin
A delegation from the Democratic Alliance visited Brussels and Berlin to deepen the exchange with European partners on international cooperation and liberal strategies.
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Reimagining global finance
As debt distress tightens its grip on the Global South, 35 developing countries teeter on the brink of default with many now spending more on interest payments than on education or healthcare. At a high-level roundtable hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, experts and policymakers examined the structural flaws of the global financial system, questioning whether it supports or stifles development. With rigid lending rules, outdated restructuring mechanisms, and growing pressure from both traditional and non-traditional creditors, the crisis is no longer just economic, it is profoundly social and political.
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Chief Justice Koome backs International Anti-Corruption Court at FNF launch
At a landmark event in Nairobi, Chief Justice Martha Koome endorsed the proposed International Anti-Corruption Court (IACC), calling it a vital tool to combat grand corruption and kleptocracy across Africa. Speaking at the launch of a policy brief by FNF, Koome emphasised the failure of domestic systems to hold powerful offenders accountable, particularly those who hide illicit funds in offshore accounts. She argued that an international court is not only timely but essential.
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The role of C20 in shaping an inclusive G20 2025
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit in 2025, the world’s attention is on how this global event can drive meaningful change. The theme—Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability—highlights the need for inclusive policies that tackle pressing global challenges like inequality, climate change, and economic instability. But for real impact, the voices of everyday people must be heard. Civil Society Organisations play a crucial role in ensuring the G20’s decisions reflect the needs of all communities, not just governments and businesses.
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Dramatic Escalation of Violence in Syria Three Months After the Fall of the Assad Regime
Almost exactly three months after the fall of the Assad regime, the violence in Syria has escalated dramatically. Regional Office Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Jörg Dehnert, spoke to Rafif Jouejati, Vice President of the Syrian Liberal Party, about the dramatic developments in Syria.
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Strengthening partnerships for sustainable growth
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation played a key role at the RenewPac Summit in Abidjan, focusing on governance, innovation, and strengthening EU-Africa partnerships. Key discussions included climate resilience, economic development, and fostering political participation among women and youth. FNF led a session on "The Next Big Idea," driving transformative ideas for collaboration, and co-hosted a workshop on empowering women in politics.
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Under fire: How Trump & Co. are interfering in South Africa's land rights debate
The criticism from the USA is less a matter-of-fact debate than a declaration of war; for the debate has a geopolitical dimension. South Africa, this year's host of the G20 summit, is a founding member of the BRICS community of states. The South African governing party, the ANC, has maintained close relations with Russia and China for years. South Africa has also brought a lawsuit against Israel before the International Court of Justice for genocide in Gaza.
Social Media
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Strengthening independent journalism for democracy and nation building | 15–16 Oct | 📍 Harare The Southern Africa Media Summit, taking place on 15–16 October 2025 in Harare, Zimbabwe, will centre on strengthening independent journalism for democracy and nation building. Heart and Soul ZIM Centre for Human Rights
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🎥 PREMIERING NOW: Reimagining Global Finance As 56 developing countries face debt distress, global experts gather to ask: What kind of financial system sustains fragility instead of enabling development? 📘 Featuring the launch of our new policy paper by Dr. Aaron Thegeya 📺 Watch now: [https://youtu.be/zV7BI-EMGYs?si=p28SaIH1FCFfPQJq] #FNFreedomFromDebt #DebtCrisis #GlobalFinance #PublicDebt #FNF #G20SouthAfrica
Focus
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From Educational Organization to Campaign Platform: FNF decides on Strategic Renewal and Reorganization
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