The National Liberal Party (NLP) of Kenya advocates for the equal treatment of individuals under the law regardless of social status, race, ethnicity, sex, or gender. They state that there are many aspects of an individual’s life over which governments have no power to regulate. The party is a member of International Alliance of Libertarian Parties and we spoke with their Secretary General Omondi K’oyoo.
“We must use every single opportunity to resist encroachment on our rights and spread that spirit of resistance”
Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell us a bit about your party?
The NLP is the only real, active liberal movement in Kenya and indeed in the broader East African region. We believe in the fundamentals of liberalism in their entirety, specifically freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and economic development that is not delivered “at the other end of the stick.” Our rally cry and core philosophy is “Maendeleo kwa wote” (Progress/Development for All).
“the NLP is championing policies that fiercely protect civil liberties, roll back state surveillance, and guarantee constitutional protections for political expression”
What do you see as the major challenges facing Kenya and what policies is the party championing?
Kenya, like many longstanding and upcoming democracies, is currently facing an uphill challenge marked by a dwindling democratic space and a troubling rise in autocracy. Civil liberties are actively being stripped away. We are witnessing increased state monitoring and surveillance of social media, alongside the trailing of individuals who express dissenting opinions.
This became tragically evident during and after the June 25 “GenZ” resistance against the Finance Bill. The state’s response resulted in kidnappings, illegal detentions, and the deaths of young people, some of whom have never been found, alive or dead. In the face of this oppressive environment, the NLP is championing policies that fiercely protect civil liberties, roll back state surveillance, and guarantee constitutional protections for political expression.
“Citizens must be able to check, correct, and remind their leaders of their duties through public demonstration”
If you could introduce policies to change just 3 things in Kenya, what would they be?
To increase our liberties and strengthen our democracy, we would implement the following three key structural reforms:
- Reform the Political Parties Act: The current Act is restrictive, either by design or systemic failure. The mandatory legal requirement to maintain 24 physical offices across the country is financially prohibitive for upcoming parties, particularly blocking young people who wish to start or belong to new political movements. To maintain the intended goal of ensuring a “national outlook and multi-ethnicity,” we propose reducing this requirement to eight regional offices aligned with the former provinces. From there, the free-market forces of supply and demand should take over: a party should become attractive based on its philosophy, manifesto, and how effectively it serves the community, not by arbitrary bureaucratic hurdles.
- Enforce Strict Separation of Powers: We would legally and strictly enforce the separation of duties and powers between the branches and levels of government. This ensures that development projects and vital public services are distributed fairly by law, rather than being weaponized by the ruling elite as political tokens to reward loyalty or punish opposition.
- Guarantee Free and Protected Picketing: We would make the right to picket and peacefully protest as free and unhindered as possible. Citizens must be able to check, correct, and remind their leaders of their duties through public demonstration without fear of state violence, abduction, or retaliation.
“no matter how few we may seem, those of us who believe in pro-liberal democracy must not keep quiet”
Is there anything else you want to say to our readers?
Autocrats and dictators globally are getting bolder. They are ganging up and actively crushing the foundational freedoms that our forefathers fought and shed blood for. My message to your readers, and to liberals everywhere, is this: no matter how few we may seem, those of us who believe in pro-liberal democracy must not keep quiet. We must use every single opportunity to resist encroachment on our rights and spread that spirit of resistance.
How can people find out more about what the party is up to?
See our website at https://nationalliberalparty.co.ke, or contact us at +254729381378
“Our rally cry and core philosophy is “Maendeleo kwa wote” (Progress/Development for All)”
