Kenyan civil society perspectives on rights, rights-based approaches to development, and participation
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Date
2004Author
Nyamu-Musembi, Celestine
Musyoki, Samuel
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Abstract
This paper goes beyond conceptual debates to explore country level practice around emergent rightsbased
approaches to development, and their relationship with more established practices of participatory
development. Drawing from the perspectives of a cross-section of Kenyan civil society groups, the paper
examines the extent to which these approaches overlap, and evaluates the prospects for an integrated and
sustained approach to civil society’s questioning of institutional arrangements that foster unequal relations.
Current trends suggest a gradual closing of the chasm between the practice of participatory community
development and the practice of rights advocacy: community development NGOs are taking more
seriously the notion of people’s rights and entitlements as the starting point for their work, and the need
for greater engagement with macro-level political institutions to build accountability; rights advocacy
NGOs are responding to demands for active and meaningful participation of marginalised groups in
shaping a rights advocacy agenda that is genuinely rooted in communities; and community-based networks
are looking inward to ensure internal legitimacy, inclusiveness and non-discrimination. These trends hold
promise for an integrated and sustained approach that is potentially more effective in Kenya’s new
political climate characterised by stronger demands for accountability at different levels. The paper
concludes with suggestions on how these emerging trends can be strengthened.
Keywords: rights, participation, civil society, social movements.
Citation
Nyamu-Musembi, C. & S. Musyoki (2004) Kenyan civil society perspectives on rights, rights-based approaches to development, and participation. Working paper series, 236. Brighton: IDS.Is part of series
IDS working papers;236Library catalogue entry
http://bldscat.ids.ac.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=150155Rights holder
Institute of Development StudiesCollections
- IDS Research [1663]