This week Kenya celebrated a successful referendum on introducing a new constitution, showing that Kenyans want to make their government and justice system work for them. Coming only three years after electoral violence that destroyed lives and communities, ActionAid Kenya’s Head of Policy Nixon Otieno hailed the result as “a victory for all Kenyans and an important milestone for Kenya’s poor women and men.”

The expanded Bill of Rights guarantees equal representation for women and increased participation in democratic governance. It includes provisions that

• bind governments to concrete actions to provide health, a clean environment and decent housing
• insist that all key governance bodies are at least one third women
• prohibit all forms of discrimination including violence against women and any customary law that perpetuates such acts
• address the disparities that have seen a few individuals own large tracts of land

ActionAid's referendum campaign

In the months prior to Wednesday’s vote, ActionAid campaigned to raise awareness and encourage voting in poor and marginalised communities. 80% of Kenyans rely on the radio for news, so ActionAid hosted national radio and local radio shows in the run-up to the election, including in local languages.

Staff also produced posters setting out the facts and debunking myths about the referendum. In one province a caravan traveled around villages, providing 40,000 people with information on the referendum and encouraging voting.

“Socio- economic rights are major tenets of human development and social justice", said Jean Kamau, Country Director

“The new constitution gives Kenyan women a chance to claim their position of influence within governance structures. This is a position women have fought so hard for and must take full advantage."

“ActionAid will build on this new impetus to educate the public, especially women, on their civic duty to ensure full implementation of the new law.”

Next Steps

Following the referendum success, ActionAid Kenya are concentrating on ensuring that Kenyans get the change they have voted for.

ActionAid will

• train and support women to take up political posts reserved for them.
• prepare advice for citizens on how to use new accountability provisions.
• map out the links between local and central government so that local needs are reflected at the national level.

These actions will help lock in the change that ordinary Kenyans want to end poverty in their country.