Okiya Omtatah: Your Rights, Use Them or Lose Them

On September 17-18 2025, the Civic Freedom Forum held a two-day Civic Space Protection Summit in Nakuru, a gathering focused on the challenges faced by civil society and human rights defenders. The summit served as a platform for various stakeholders to discuss the increasing threats to fundamental freedoms such as expression, assembly, and association. A key concern raised was the “weaponization of the law” and digital surveillance. The summit underscored the importance of protecting civic space as a cornerstone of democracy. The keynote speaker, Okiya Omtatah, urged vigilance as we develop strategies to counter these threats, strengthen civic organizations, and advocate for greater accountability as we gear up for 2027.