For the fourth episode, in collaboration with The Elephant and Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi!, The Civic Voice is honored to feature Atsango chesoni in the Intergenerational Solidarity Series.
In this engaging one-on-one conversation, we speak with Atsango Chesoni , about Kenya’s ongoing quest for democratic integrity, the national call for good governance and accountability following the youth-led (Gen Z) protests of June 2024, and the historical context that continues to shape the country’s evolving democratic landscape.
About Chesoni
Atsango Chesoni is a distinguished Kenyan human rights lawyer, feminist policy expert, and constitutional reform advocate. She played a pivotal role in Kenya’s constitutional transformation, serving as the vice chairperson of the Committee of Experts that drafted the 2010 Constitution. Her leadership helped enshrine critical rights for women, including protections against discrimination, gender-based violence, and the guarantee of political representation.
Chesoni’s activism began in the early 1990s when she joined the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)-Kenya, where she initiated the annual report on the status of women’s human rights. She later represented the women’s movement in the Bomas constitutional conference and was nominated by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) to participate in the constitutional negotiations.
From 2011 to 2015, she served as the Executive Director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), where she championed governance reforms and accountability. She has also been an outspoken advocate against hate speech and political incitement, especially in the lead-up to elections.
Chesoni continues to work as a consultant on governance and human rights, focusing on equality rights, constitutionalism, and policy reform at both national and regional levels. She provides gender analysis of policies and legislation, advises policymakers, and develops gender mainstreaming frameworks for regional and international bodies such as the African Union.
A committed Pan-Africanist and feminist, Chesoni draws inspiration from African literature and leaders like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Julius Nyerere. In 2018, she participated in the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center residency to work on her memoir, reflecting on her journey in Kenya’s democracy and women’s rights movements.
Her enduring legacy is rooted in her unwavering commitment to justice, gender equality, and democratic governance in Kenya and across Africa.
🎧 Prefer audio? We’ve got you covered! Tune in to our podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast and listen to the conversation !
