Editorials

EDITORIAL: Suspension of bid to shut down NGOs noble

FRED

Acting Interior Security minister Fred Matiang’i. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Acting Interior secretary Fred Matiangi’s decision to stop the closure of two pro-democracy and human rights organisations in favour of consultations must have come as a relief to many Kenyans.

The timing and manner in which the orders to shut down the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Africa Centre for Open Governance (AfriCOG) was done has borne suspicion that it was all meant to muzzle critics of the government and those questioning the integrity of last week’s elections.

In their defence, the organisations have argued that the NGO Co-ordination Board’s claims of wrongdoing on their part are false.

The legality of the manner in which the said orders were issued has also raised serious legal questions – the board having failed even the basic test of offering the accused an opportunity to defend themselves.

It is worth noting that the two NGOs have been the most critical of the Jubilee government, which was declared the winner of last week’s disputed presidential election.

Stopping apparent use of such unorthodox methods to silence critics in favour of a more consultative approach is, to say the least, pragmatic.

It is now expected that a committee bringing together the NGOs and government agencies will look into the NGO Co-ordination Board’s claims before a final decision is made.

But while at it, difficult decisions also need to be made on the suitability of Fazul Mahamed to head this agency.

Investigations have recently revealed that Mr Mahamed did not have the requisite qualifications at the time of his hiring. The finding was that Mr Mahamed did not complete his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree at Egerton University – basically meaning he is a fraud.

That finding has led many to question the wisdom of retaining a person of such standing as head of an agency whose mandate includes enforcement of regulations, ethics and corporate governance. What is important in all the recent drama is that every action is anchored in law and the cause of justice served.

This is what is expected in a democracy, a standing to which Kenya lays claim. Anything less would signal a slide to authoritarianism reminiscent of Kenya’s yesteryears that many thought had ended with the coming into force of the 2010 Constitution.