Grassroots Women Condemn Attacks on TISA, Civil Society Groups Defending Human Rights and Accountability
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, July 14, 2026 — Grassroots women leaders from across Nairobi have condemned what they describe as increasing attacks and intimidation targeting civil society organizations, singling out the The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) for its work in promoting human rights, transparency and public accountability.
Addressing the media under the banner of Grassroots Women of Nairobi, the women said the shrinking civic space threatens not only organizations advocating for accountability but also ordinary citizens who rely on them to demand better public services and responsible use of public resources.
They said organizations such as TISA have consistently stood with communities by raising questions about stalled development projects, inadequate healthcare services, unfinished markets, poor roads and the management of public funds. According to the women, efforts to silence such organizations amount to silencing the voices of millions of Kenyans seeking answers over issues that directly affect their livelihoods.
“When they silence those who fight for accountability, they silence our communities too,” the women said in a joint statement, arguing that attacks on civil society weaken citizens’ ability to hold leaders accountable.
The coalition, comprising chama leaders, mama mboga traders, salon owners, caregivers, farmers and community organizers, noted that women are often the first to experience the consequences of weak accountability. They said families are forced to spend more on healthcare when public hospitals lack medicine, struggle with poor infrastructure when roads remain impassable and shoulder higher living costs when public projects fail despite significant budget allocations.
The women further expressed concern over what they described as a growing climate of fear marked by alleged intimidation, unlawful surveillance, office raids, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances targeting civil society actors and human rights defenders. They warned that such actions discourage citizens from questioning how public resources are managed and undermine constitutional freedoms.
“If organizations with lawyers, national visibility and public support can be intimidated for demanding accountability, what protection remains for an ordinary woman questioning the misuse of public resources in her own community?” the statement posed.
The group maintained that accountability is not a political issue but a matter that directly affects access to healthcare, clean water, markets, education and other essential public services. They argued that when oversight is weakened, corruption flourishes, with women and vulnerable families bearing the greatest burden.
The women called on the government to end all forms of intimidation, harassment and surveillance against civil society organizations, human rights defenders and citizens advocating for transparency. They also urged authorities to conduct independent investigations into reported incidents of unlawful surveillance, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances involving civic actors and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Additionally, they appealed for greater protection of grassroots women leaders and community organizers who continue to champion transparency in the use of public resources. They also urged the government to safeguard every Kenyan’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful civic participation.
Reaffirming their solidarity with TISA and other civil society organizations, the women vowed to continue mobilizing communities and demanding accountable leadership, saying public resources belong to the people and should be managed transparently for the benefit of all Kenyans.
