Kenyan civil society perspectives on rights, rights-based approaches to development, and participation

Abstract

This paper goes beyond conceptual debates to explore country level practice around emergent rightsbased
\napproaches to development, and their relationship with more established practices of participatory
\ndevelopment. Drawing from the perspectives of a cross-section of Kenyan civil society groups, the paper
\nexamines the extent to which these approaches overlap, and evaluates the prospects for an integrated and
\nsustained approach to civil society’s questioning of institutional arrangements that foster unequal relations.
\nCurrent trends suggest a gradual closing of the chasm between the practice of participatory community
\ndevelopment and the practice of rights advocacy: community development NGOs are taking more
\nseriously the notion of people’s rights and entitlements as the starting point for their work, and the need
\nfor greater engagement with macro-level political institutions to build accountability; rights advocacy
\nNGOs are responding to demands for active and meaningful participation of marginalised groups in
\nshaping a rights advocacy agenda that is genuinely rooted in communities; and community-based networks
\nare looking inward to ensure internal legitimacy, inclusiveness and non-discrimination. These trends hold
\npromise for an integrated and sustained approach that is potentially more effective in Kenya’s new
\npolitical climate characterised by stronger demands for accountability at different levels. The paper
\nconcludes with suggestions on how these emerging trends can be strengthened.
\nKeywords: rights, participation, civil society, social movements.