For the fifth episode, in collaboration with The Elephant and Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi!, The Civic Voice is honored to feature Muthoni Wanyeki in the Intergenerational Solidarity Series.
In this engaging one-on-one conversation, we speak with Muthoni Wanyeki about Kenya’s ongoing pursuit of democratic integrity, the national demand for good governance and accountability in the wake of the youth-led (Gen Z) protests of June 2024, and the historical forces that continue to shape the country’s evolving democratic landscape.
About Wanyeki
Lynne Muthoni Wanyeki is a Kenyan political scientist, human rights activist, and journalist renowned for her extensive work in civil society, gender equality, and democratic governance across Africa.
Wanyeki’s activism began in the late 1980s, concentrating on women’s rights and media advocacy in Canada. Upon returning to Kenya, she engaged in development work and held editorial roles in advocacy journalism. She served as Executive Director of the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) from 1999 to 2006, and later as Executive Director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) from 2007 to 2011. During her tenure at KHRC, she received death threats for her outspoken criticism of the government’s handling of the 2007–2008 post-election violence.
From 2014 to 2017, Wanyeki was the Regional Director for Amnesty International’s East Africa, Horn, and Great Lakes office. She has also contributed as a columnist for The East African newspaper and has served on various advisory boards, including the Open Society Justice Initiative. She also served as the Regional Director of Open Society–Africa, where she led initiatives aimed at promoting democracy, human rights, and social justice throughout the continent .
As a committed feminist, Wanyeki continues to advocate for women’s autonomy, freedom, and access to resources, challenging cultural and religious justifications for inequality.
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