Kenya’s Nandi Senator, Samson Cherargei, ignited a fresh wave of controversy by urging the government to investigate NGOs he claims are bankrolling ongoing protests. Speaking at a church service, Cherargei alleged that “some NGOs … are sending money to this young generation to conduct the protests,” and urged the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to “close down these channels” to stop what he described as attempts to “destabilise the government”.
A history of NGO crackdowns
This isn’t the first time allegations of external interference have been made. During the fierce anti–Finance Bill protests of June–July 2024, President Ruto accused the Ford Foundation of funding demonstrations—a charge the foundation denied, citing its strict non‑partisan grant policy. Ruto mentioned organizations such as the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Africa Uncensored, and others in his onslaught against the civil society organizations.
At the same time, NGOs operating at the heart of the protests faced pressures ranging from surveillance to public smear campaigns. Civil society groups reported increased scrutiny by intelligence agencies and mounting attempts to delegitimize their work—a pattern of intimidation experts warned could chill future civic participation .
Cherargei’s outspoken record
Senator Cherargei is no stranger to polarization. A vocal UDA loyalist and chair of the Senate’s Justice and Human Rights Committee, he has consistently taken hardline positions. In 2019, he was arrested twice on charges including hate speech and incitement to violence after making inflammatory remarks. More recently, he backed Tanzania’s ban on Kenyan activists, accusing them of receiving foreign funds to destabilize regional politics. He’s even advocated for adopting China‑style executions in corruption cases, sparking a fierce debate about human rights in Kenya.
What if the government acts?
If the government heeds Cherargei’s call, NGOs in Kenya could face punitive audits, restricted permitting, or even forced closure, mirroring patterns seen elsewhere when civic space narrows. Funding channels could be blocked, staff harassed, and community trust eroded. In a worst‑case scenario, watchdog groups working on human rights, civic education, and transparency might scale back activities or withdraw entirely, fearing reprisal.
Should the Kenya Kwanza government accede to Cherargei, the consequences could be dire. NGOs play a crucial role in Kenya’s democracy, providing legal aid, monitoring human rights abuses, and amplifying marginalized voices. A crackdown would not only disrupt their operations but also send a chilling message: dissent comes at a cost.
Worse, such actions could embolden further restrictions on free speech, with the government weaponizing financial regulations to target critics. Already, activists report increased surveillance and intimidation. Should NGOs be muzzled, Kenya risks sliding deeper into authoritarianism—where only state-approved narratives thrive.
The stakes for freedom of expression
Such a crackdown would starkly undermine Kenya’s constitutional guarantees. The right to peaceful assembly and association—core pillars of democracy—would be at risk. Civil society organizations play a vital role in amplifying citizen voices, especially during times of national stress. Shrinking that space diminishes public oversight of policymaking and erodes trust. Kenya’s hard-won gains in accountability, transparency, and civic engagement could be swiftly eroded.
Final word
Senator Cherargei’s demand comes amid heightened anxiety in Nairobi’s political corridors. It taps into a broader security‑first narrative that frames civil society as a potential threat. But treating NGOs as antagonists rather than partners risks delegitimizing public dissent, silencing essential voices, and weakening Kenya’s democratic foundations. For a nation that prides itself on its vibrant pluralism, the government faces a pivotal choice: clamp down, or uphold the freedoms that make Kenya resilient.
