Jeffrey Maganya P.O. Box 10101-00100 GPO Nairobi 17th November 2013 Hon. imothy !anyonyi MP" !

e#t$an%# &on#tit'en(y he Nationa$ )##emb$y Nairobi Dear Sir, Re: Open letter of the CSO Control Bill * ho+e that thi# $etter fin%# yo' ,e$$. -ir" #in(e the batt$e# for the +rote(tion of H'man .ight# in the /00#" thi# +ro+o#e% bi$$ i# arg'ab$y the greate#t h'man right# +rote(tion an% rea$i1ation (ha$$enge that the (o'ntry fa(e#. We citizens vote for our leaders, and then in order to negotiate with you we organize ourselves into Civil Society Organizations including NGOs, CBOs and FBOs. CSOs are the very foundation of a democratic society. * #ee2 yo'r #'++ort to bring to a ha$t thi# a##a'$t on H'man .ight# of +oor an% margina$i1e% +eo+$e. he main rea#on for thi# $etter i# to o+en yo'r min% an% that of yo'r fe$$o, $egi#$ator# to a$$ +o##ibi$itie# of #'++ort that yo' (o'$% '#e to +revent the +a##ing of thi# $a,3 in($'%ing o't-of-thebox o+tion# to +rote(t right#. M'(h of the thin2ing in thi# $etter i# on #o(ia$ an% e(onomi( right#. !hi$e the ma2ing of $a,# i# a %emo(rati( +ro(e##" the +rote(tion of $a,# i# a +re#erve of the 4'%i(iary an% other bo%ie# at $o(a$" nationa$ an% internationa$ $eve$ ,ith 4'%i(ia$ a'thoritie#. O'r bigge#t +rote(tor again#t any form of %emo(rati( tyranny i# o'r (on#tit'tion an% internationa$ h'manitarian $a,. he#e $ega$ +rovi#ion# are not ea#i$y a##ai$e% by n'mber#" b't rather +rote(t the +oor" ,ea2" the margina$i1e% from a##a'$t by more +o,erf'$ member# of o'r #o(iety. !hi$e * +ro+o#e that yo' (ontin'e having a (ommon #en#e %i#('##ion ,ith o'r MP#"3 they #ho'$% a$#o be a,are ,e" a# (iti1en#" have eno'gh $ega$ an% e(onomi( arg'ment# to en#'re that a# $imite% %amage a# +o##ib$e i# %one to'r +oorer an% margina$i1e% brother# an% #i#ter# in 5enya ,ho main$y %e+en% on &-O# for their $ive$ihoo%#. !e ,i$$ re#ort to the '#e of +ro(e%'ra$ an% #'b#tantive arg'ment# to #ta$$ thi# $a, an% en#'re that" a# m'(h a# ,e (an" the +oor an% margina$i1e% +eo+$e ,ho %e+en% on &-O# for their $ive$ihoo%#" have a((e## to $ife #aving intervention#" even if it i# for one more %ay3 b't ho+ef'$$y 'nti$ the next e$e(tion# ,hen the MP# ,i$$ #ee2 re-e$e(tion. Somewhere amongst local and international laws and jurisdictions, there really has to e a way of !rotecting the right to life a !oor, older woman with a disa ility, who lives in traditionally marginalized area and ta"es care of five or!hans #this is, in reality the !erson who is at ris"$% &his constitution was made with her in mind% 'f we can(t !rotect her through law, then this constitution was !assed in vain% Common Sense thoughts &-O# #'++ort mi$$ion# of 5enyan# rea$i1e their (ivi$" +o$iti(a$ #o(ia$ an% e(onomi( right#3 +arti('$ar$y to +oorer an% margina$i1e% gro'+#. &-O# have ma4or effe(t on ma(roe(onomi( #tabi$ity an% ('rren(y ex(hange" b't a$#o em+$oy tho'#an%# of +eo+$e thro'gh of the goo%# an% #ervi(e# #'++$ie% to the #e(tor. &-O# are a$#o %ire(t em+$oyer# of h'n%re%# of tho'#an%# of +eo+$e em+$oyment that the #e(tor +rovi%e#. *n term# of effe(t to *nternationa$ NGO#" mo#t ,o'$% +robab$y move a(ro## the bor%er to an1ania or -o'th )fri(a an% (ontin'e ,ith their regiona$ #ervi(e +rovi#ion an% $eave o't 5enya. &ontrary to +o+'$ar +er(e+tion#" $ife ,i$$ (ontin'e for many *NGO#" ,ith #a%ne##" yet o'r +oorer an% margina$i1e% +eo+$e ,i$$ be affe(te% irrever#ib$y. On the other han%" $o(a$ &-O#" have an ab#o$'te right to a##o(iate an% ,i$$ (ontin'e to 'n%erta2e their a(tivitie#" ,ithin ,hatever frame,or2 that exi#t#. here ,a# an attem+t in +a#t to $imit the #+a(e of &-O#" it fai$e% an% at that time there ,a# no #trong (on#tit'tiona$ +rote(tion that exi#t# no,. hey ,i$$ #ti$$ get their re#o'r(e# thro'gh ($an%e#tine an%6or $ega$ metho%# that mani+'$ate the $a,. *t ha# ha++ene% in the +a#t. )reem!tive *egal 'nterventions -ir" Bear ,ith me. he #+irit of the (on#tit'tion of 5enya never envi#age% #'(h b$atant mi#'#e of +o,er an% th'# ,e #ho'$% attempt to 7'e#tion" $ega$$y" the very right of +ar$iament to even #tart a %i#('##ion a#

extreme a# thi# thro'gh +reem+tive intervention# in (o'rt#3 if on$y to ma2e MP# rea$i1e the extreme nat're of ,hat they are #ee2ing. )rti($e 89 :9; envi#age# a +ar$iament that ha# the %'ty to +rote(t thi# &on#tit'tion an% +romote the %emo(rati( governan(e of the .e+'b$i(. ) rhetori( 7'e#tion i# <-ho'$% +ar$iament be a$$o,e% to %i#('## a #'b4e(t that ,i$$ $ea% to the 'nti-rea$i1ation of h'man right#" even if $ega$ in $etter of the $a,= he (on#tit'tion i# +robab$y a,a2e to thi# an% a$$o,# for 4'%i(ia$ intervention# ,hen a right i# threatened. Of (o'r#e ,e ,i$$ be 7'e#tioning the %o(trine of #e+aration of +o,er#. B't then again +o,er# #ho'$% on$y be '#e% to +romote +'b$i( goo%. -ir" >xtreme +rovo(ation# (a$$ for extreme mea#'re#. here i# an o++ort'nity for +reem+tive intervention# if there i# a threat to the vio$ation of h'man right#. )rti($e 22 :1; of the (on#tit'tion +rovi%e# that every +er#on ha# the right to in#tit'te (o'rt +ro(ee%ing# claiming that a right or f'n%amenta$ free%om in the Bi$$ of .ight# i# threatened. )rti($e 23 :1; +rovi%e# that he High &o'rt ha# 4'ri#%i(tion to hear an% %etermine a++$i(ation# for re%re## of a threat to a right or f'n%amenta$ free%om in the Bi$$ of .ight#. he (on#tit'tion in arti($e 92 a$#o +rovi%e# that every +er#on ha# the right to a ($ean an% hea$thy environment. )rti($e 70 :1; +rovi%e# that *f a +er#on a$$ege# that a right to a ($ean an% hea$thy environment i# being or i# likely to be" %enie%" vio$ate%" infringe% or threatened" the +er#on may a++$y to a (o'rt for re%re##. -in(e the effe(t# of the bi$$ ,i$$ be #o %amaging to $ive$ihoo%#" !e a# +rote(tor# of o'r +eo+$e #ho'$% #tart the $ega$ batt$e :ho,ever ,ea2; even before the bi$$ (ome# to +ar$iament #in(e thi# $a, threaten# a(t'a$ en4oyment an% rea$i1ation of right# of mi$$ion# of in%ivi%'a$#. +nconstitutionality of the ill -ir" it i# a (ontra(t" rea$$y? he in#tr'ment# that govern the re(ei+t of f'n%# for NGO# are (ontra(t#. Nobo%y ,i$$ enter into (ontra(t# that %o not #erve their intere#t. The net effect of this law will be to limit funds that flow to CSOs that will directly affect livelihoods. &ontra(t# on$y exi#t if there i# free%om of (hoi(e. ,ll CSOs are different% While they may, generically, a!!ear to underta"e a road activity such as !overty reduction and civil rights, there are igger differences% &hese may e geogra!hical interest, tem!oral interest, !hiloso!hical interest, religious interest, gender and age interest, differences in a!!roaches, differences in methodologies, o!erational differences, management differences, historical differences, differences in relations with the state etc, etc% &hese nuanced differences define why one donor may decide to enter into a contract with a !artner&hey define why a .enyan a road may decide to finance one CSOs and not another% ' !ersonally su!!ort causes that ' would e uncomforta le if the government had decision ma"ing !owers on- and ' choose the !artners that !romote these rights very carefully efore su!!orting them% 'f the state was involved ' would not% ' !ro a ly s!ea" for many !eo!le who offer su!!ort to various causes% he +ro+o#e% fe%eration" in the bi$$" that re(eive# an% manage# extra f'n%ing :/@A; goe# again#t in%ivi%'a$ (hoi(e. )t the (ore of any %emo(rati( #o(iety i# the free%om of (hoi(e. he right of (or+orate an% non (or+orate (iti1en#" to (hoo#e ,hen" ho, ,here an% ,hat to %o ,ithin the free%om# envi#age% in the (on#tit'tion. hey a$#o m'#t have %i#(retion on ,hat ty+e of (harity to give. &iti1en# an% (iti1en# organi1ation# :&-O#; %erive thi# from the free%om of a##o(iation" the free%om to #ee2" re(eive or im+art information or i%ea#" free%om of arti#ti( (reativity" a(a%emi( free%om an% free%om of #(ientifi( re#ear(h an% free%om of (on#(ien(e" re$igion" tho'ght" be$ief an% o+inion. he#e free%om# re#'$t in (hoi(e. he net effe(t of thi# $a, i# to %erogate the (ore (ontent of the#e free%om#. ,lso, much charity is religious- in fact one of the !illars of 'slam is charity% /any !eo!le who give charity choose to give !eo!le of their faith% &his law may affect the freedom to manifest faith through elief and !ractice and may lead to the state com!elling !ersons #cor!orate and non cor!orate$ to act or engage in acts that are contrary to their elief or religion% !hen * trave$ abroa% an% give offering# in the (h'r(h" * ,o'$% ,ant re$igio'# $ea%er# to manage that f'n%3 not a government em+$oyee" * be$ief that i# a f'n%amenta$ right that * +o##e##. The constitution has high standards and expectations of any law that limits these freedoms; this is only allowed to the extent that the limitation is reasona le and !ustifia le in an open and democratic society and ta"ing into account the purpose of the limitation and the existence of less restrictive means to achieve the !ur!ose# -in(e the mo#t <(harity giver#B ,i$$ not enter into (ontra(t#. here are rea$ %anger# to non rea$i1ation of right# %'e to (harity giver# not #igning (ontra(t# that they have no (ontro$ or (hoi(e over. Cor a +er#on ,ho #'++ort# a (hi$% in 5enya" there may be $imite% (hoi(e b't to #hift the #'++ort to another (o'ntry. he bi$$ of right# ha# #ome +rovi#ion# in thi# regar%D he +'r+o#e of re(ogni1ing an% +rote(ting h'man right# an% f'n%amenta$ free%om# i# to +re#erve the %ignity of in%ivi%'a$# an% (omm'nitie# an% to +romote #o(ia$ 4'#ti(e an% the

rea$i1ation of the +otentia$ of a$$ h'man being#. !here %oe# that the bi$$ #it vi#-E-vi# the +'r+o#e of the bi$$ of right#= .ight# be$ong to ea(h in%ivi%'a$ an% are not grante% by the -tate (or state organ?). &an the #tate ena(t a $a, that ta2e# a,ay the right to $ife" hea$th" e%'(ation et(= *n a++$ying a +rovi#ion of the Bi$$ of .ight#" (o'rt# #ho'$% a%o+t the interpretation that most favors the enforcement of a right or fundamental freedom. he inter+retation of the bi$$ of right# by a (o'rt #ha$$ +romote the va$'e# that 'n%er$ie an open and democratic society ba#e% on h'man %ignity" e uality" e uity an% freedom3 an% the spirit" +'r+ort an% ob4e(t# of the Bi$$ of .ight#. &$ear$y any (o'rt #ho'$% be on o'r #i%e= Duty to Respect, )rotect, )romote $uman Rights y the State )rti($e 21 :1; +rovi%e# that *t i# a fundamental duty of the -tate an% every State organ to ob#erve" re#+e(t" protect" promote an% f'$fi$$ the right# an% f'n%amenta$ free%om# in the Bi$$ of .ight#. hi# +ro+o#e% $a, may renege on thi# f'n%amenta$ %'ty an% at very $ea#t not promote H'man .ight#= !e 2no, ($ear$y that the #tate ha# neither the re#o'r(e# re#o'r(e nor me(hani#m# for re+$a(ing the#e h'man right# ($aim# by +oor an% margina$i1e% gro'+# that are ('rrent$y rea$i1e% by &-O#. Duty of the State to %chie&e 'rogressi&e Reali(ation on $uman Rights )rti($e 21 :2; +rovi%e# that the #tate #ha$$ ta2e $egi#$ative" +o$i(y an% other mea#'re#" in($'%ing the #etting of #tan%ar%#" to a(hieve the +rogre##ive rea$i1ation of #o(ia$ an% e(onomi( right#. Pray" ho, ,i$$ thi# $a, (ontrib'te to +rogre##ive rea$i1ation of #o(ia$ an% e(onomi( right#= May it not" in fa(t" rever#e gain#= )arginali(ation and Discrimination )rti($e 21 :3; +rovi%e that a$$ -tate organ# have the %'ty to a%%re## the nee%# of v'$nerab$e gro'+# ,ithin #o(iety" in($'%ing ,omen" o$%er member# of #o(iety" +er#on# ,ith %i#abi$itie#" (hi$%ren" yo'th3 member# of minority or margina$i1e% (omm'nitie# an% member# of +arti('$ar ethni(" re$igio'# or ('$t'ra$ (omm'nitie#. he nee%# of the#e gro'+# are a%%re##e% main$y by &-O#- y limiting the o!erations of CSOs would the !arliament, as a state organ, e failing on its duty0)rti($e 93 +rovi%e# that every +er#on ha# the right hea$th" a%e7'ate ho'#ing" to be free from h'nger" an% to have a%e7'ate foo%" ($ean an% #afe ,ater" #o(ia$ #e('rity an% e%'(ation. here are a$#o #+e(ifi( (on#tit'tiona$ +rovi#ion# for right# of (hi$%ren" yo'th" minoritie# an% margina$i1e% gro'+#" an% o$%er member# of #o(iety. he#e right# are rea$i1e% by a(tivitie# of many a(tor# in($'%ing Government" +rivate #e(tor an% &-O#. &he net effect of this law would e to deny rights to !eo!le who de!end on CSOs these rights% )rti($e 27 :1; +rovi%e# that every +er#on i# e7'a$ before the $a, an% ha# the right to e ual protection and e ual benefit of the $a,. 27 :3; +rovi%e that ,omen an% men have the right to e7'a$ treatment" in($'%ing the right to e7'a$ o++ort'nitie# in +o$iti(a$" e(onomi(" ('$t'ra$ an% #o(ia$ #+here# ,hi$e 27 :9; +rovi%e# that he -tate #ha$$ not %i#(riminate directly or indirectly again#t any +er#on on any gro'n%" in($'%ingF. #ex" +regnan(y" hea$th #tat'#" ethni(" age" %i#abi$ity et(. )rti($e 27 :G; +rovi%e# that to give f'$$ effe(t to the rea$i1ation of the right# (ontem+$ate% in the bi$$ of right# the -tate #ha$$ ta2e $egi#$ative including affirmative action programmes an% policies %e#igne% to re%re## any %i#a%vantage #'ffere% by in%ivi%'a$# or gro'+# be(a'#e of +a#t %i#(rimination. Since CSOs dis!ro!ortionately su!!ort women, children, older !eo!le, !regnant women, !eo!le with disa ilities, !eo!le with chronic illnesses and !eo!le of marginalized ethnicities the net effect of the law would e discriminate in terms of services against these grou!s0 Ci&il and 'olitical *reedoms M'(h of (omm'nity organi1ing an% +arti(i+ation in governan(e i# %one thro'gh the free%om# of a##o(iation %e+i(te% by &-O#. he +ro+o#e% $a, ,i$$ affe(t +eo+$e0# abi$ity to organi1e an% +arti(i+ate in governan(e. *t ,i$$ %eny right# ho$%er# the (a+a(ity to rea$i1e their right# to +arti(i+ate" +romote %emo(ra(y an% ho$% the government to a((o'nt. 1esources are fundamental to the a ility of a !eo!le to organize and hold their government to account% 1esources are im!ortant in realizing the rights to !artici!ation, es!ecially of minorities and marginalized communities% Many 5enyan ,ho $ive abroa% may ,ant to #'++ort a +o$iti(a$ an% (ivi( (a'#e thro'gh a &-O#" the #tate ha# no (om+e$$ing rea#on to %eny that (iti1en a (hoi(e in %efining ,here hi# (harity goe#. He or #he may ,ant hi# (harity to go to a (a'#e that may on$y be %e$ivere% thro'gh a #e$e(te% (harity. The +aw would ,eed -nputs from The Senate )rti($e 8G :1; +rovi%e# that the -enate re+re#ent# the (o'ntie#" an% #erve# to +rote(t the intere#t# of the (o'ntie# an% their government#. )n% :2; +rovi%e# that the -enate +arti(i+ate# in the $a,ma2ing f'n(tion of Par$iament by (on#i%ering" %ebating an% a++roving Bi$$# (on(erning (o'ntie#. hi# bi$$ %i#+ro+ortiona$$y affe(t# abi$ity of (o'ntie# to rea$i1e their ro$e# in hea$th an% agri('$t're

#ervi(e# et(3 an% #o by %efinition it #ho'$% (on(ern the -enate. )rti($e 110 :1; +rovi%e# that <a !ill concerning county governmentB mean# a Bi$$ (ontaining +rovi#ion# affecting the functions an% +o,er# of the (o'nty government# #et o't in the fo'rth #(he%'$e :in($'%ing hea$th" agri('$t're" e%'(ation et(;. CSOs contri ution to service !rovision affects the functions of the county governments% &his should then e discussed in the two houses0 The ,ational .o&ernment $as ,o Role -n The Coordination Of CSO /or"ing -n Ci&il %nd 'olitical Rights# )rti($e 179 %e#(ribe# the ob4e(t# of the %evo$'tion of government ,hi(h to +romote democratic an% a((o'ntab$e exer(i#e of +o,er3 to give +o,er# of self"governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exer(i#e of the powers of the State and in making decisions affe(ting them an% to re(ogni1e the right of (omm'nitie# to manage their o,n affair# an% to f'rther their %eve$o+ment3 to protect and promote the interests and rights of minoritie# an% margina$i1e% (omm'nitie#3 to enhan(e (he(2# an% ba$an(e# an% the #e+aration of +o,er#. he %'ty for the %ay to %ay a%mini#tration of the +arti(i+ation of +eo+$e #ho'$% be a (o'nty ro$e. One of the (on#tit'tiona$ ro$e# of the (o'nty in #(he%'$e fo'r i# ensuring an% coordinating the +arti(i+ation of (omm'nitie# an% $o(ation# in governan(e at the $o(a$ $eve$ an% a##i#ting (omm'nitie# an% $o(ation# to %eve$o+ the a%mini#trative (a+a(ity for the effective e#ercise of the functions and powers and participation in governance at the local level ($ocal level% not county level&my emphasis). *f thi# mean# that +arti(i+ation of the +eo+$e in the exer(i#e of the +o,er# of the -tate an% in ma2ing %e(i#ion# i# a $o(a$ f'n(tion" then +ar$iament may +a## $a,# an% %eve$o+ #tan%ar%# b't the +ro+o#e% fe%eration ha# no ro$e in enfor(ing the#e. Could this mean that grou!s of citizens, also technically "nown as CSOs #CBOs, NGOs, FBO etc$, should e coordinated #registered$ at county levels0 %nd *inally0 Did The Constitution 'ercei&e CSOs %s 'roperty1 )rti($e 90 :1; +rovi%e# that every +er#on ha# the right" either in%ivi%'a$$y or in a##o(iation ,ith other#" to a(7'ire an% o,n +ro+erty of any description. They constitution may have envisaged CSOs as being a type of property. *f thi# i# the (a#e the #tan%ar%# #ho'$% be #imi$ar to the#e em+$oye% in (ommer(ia$ #e(tor an% the $a, may amo'nt to arbitrary %e+rivation +ro+erty" an% intere#t in +ro+erty. &his goes against the core !rovisions of article 23#4$%

* #ee2 yo'r #'++ort to #to+ thi# bi$$. Ho'r# -in(ere$y Jeffrey Maganya !e#t$an%# &on#tit'en(y