For the first time in the history of the People’s Dialogue Festival, fashion was given a voice – and what an incredible impact it had! Eco Fashion Week Africa (EFWA) was honored to lead the conversation on Fashion and the…
As shared on LinkedIn by Diana Sifuna, CEO & Board Secretary at the Jonathan Jackson Foundation
~ As shared on LinkedIn by Joseph Kimani, Programmes Manager for Governance and Health at The Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi Kenya.
Elections should be the great equalizer, yet money often determines who competes and wins. Political campaigns demand massive resources, limiting leadership opportunities to the wealthy and well-connected. This financial barrier suppresses young leaders, women, and marginalized groups, undermining democracy.
At FURIC 2025, convened by the Uchaguzi Platform, CMD Kenya and Transparency International led discussions on the dark side of campaign financing—where private donors influence policies at the expense of public interest. A call for reforms was made, emphasizing stricter financial disclosure laws, state funding for political parties, and citizen-driven financing models.
Kenya’s democracy stands at a crossroads. Without transparency and regulation, political financing will continue to fuel corruption and state capture. The fight for fair elections is a fight for power to return to the people. If we want a truly democratic future, we must redefine how we fund it.
As the sun set over Nairobi, People’s Dialogue Festival (PDF) 2025 became a vibrant fusion of democracy and creativity. The rhythmic beats of drums, soul-stirring spoken word, and stunning eco-fashion designs transformed governance into a living experience.
Spoken word artists electrified the crowd, voicing a generation’s demand for youth leadership, gender equality, and people-centered democracy.Eco-fashion designers captivated audiences with garments crafted from discarded fabrics, symbolizing resilience and sustainability.
On the main stage, legendary Kenyan artists took the audience on a nostalgic journey—Les Wanyika’s timeless Rhumba, Jua Cali’s Genge, Wyre’s Dancehall, Sanaipei’s soulful R&B, and Iyani’s Arbantone. Sarabi Band with Coster Ojwang and Gravitti Band’s reggae infused the night with energy and unity.
PDF 2025 proved that democracy thrives beyond discussions—it’s in music, art, and fashion. By embracing the creative economy, the festival became a movement, ensuring Kenya’s future is shaped by its people’s voices, hands, and vision.
The People’s Dialogue Festival (PDF) 2025, held in Nairobi from March 5-8 under the theme "Building a Sustainable Democracy for Kenya’s Sustainable Future," was a hub for democratic engagement and collaboration. Organized by the Center for Multiparty Democracy Kenya (CMD-Kenya), the festival united leaders, activists, policymakers, students, and civil society to discuss governance, inclusivity, youth participation, and gender equality. More than just an event, PDF has become a movement fostering transformative dialogue. It bridged generational and ideological gaps, amplified young voices, and promoted civic participation by engaging policymakers and the public. By providing a neutral platform, PDF encouraged consensus-building and cooperation among political actors. With a strong focus on inclusivity, it ensured marginalized communities had a seat at the table. Beyond Kenya, PDF’s impact extended across Africa, influencing governance and reaffirming dialogue as a tool for democratic resilience in the face of global challenges. PDF 2025 stood as a beacon of unity, inspiring change and shaping a just society.
In 2024, with the generous support of our valued partners, CMD-Kenya made significant progress in promoting an inclusive and accountable multiparty democratic Kenya, our interventions anchoring on the organization’s strategic goals, mission and vision. The 2024 annual report details our achievements and the impact of our work, reflecting our resolute commitment to advance the institutionalization, advancement, protection and defense of an inclusive, accountable, and vibrant multiparty democratic Kenyan state and society.
In 2025, we will double our efforts to engage political actors, civil society, and citizens in meaningful conversations about governance and ethical leadership. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will continue to guide our citizen-centered policy-making project, ensuring that political discourse is issue-based and aligns with the immediate and long-term needs of our people. Through this, we aim to renew public confidence in Kenya’s political system.
In celebration of Human Rights Day, we convened a dynamic cocktail dialogue forum under the theme, “Political Participation as a Fundamental Human Right.” The event brought together a diverse audience of political leaders, civil society representatives, academicians, young people, and human rights advocates to engage in a robust and thought-provoking discussion on the state of multi-party democracy in Kenya.
CMD-Kenya, in partnership with CEPPS and IRI, is driving transformative change through the Advancing Inclusion in Kenya’s Politics initiative. Focused on empowering marginalized groups—women, youth, and persons with disabilities—this program aims to reshape Kenya’s political landscape by fostering inclusivity, accountability, and collaboration within political parties and institutions. Discover how these efforts are building a more inclusive democracy for all.