In May, the Senate published the Community Groups Registration Bill. It provides a framework for the mobilisation, registration, coordination, and regulation of community groups in Kenya. It further describes Community Groups (CGs) as voluntary associations of individuals from the same community that are self-organised for a common purpose. It extends the definition of communities to special interest groups and requires CGs to steer clear of championing political causes and contradicting public policy. Other problematic clauses include the definitions, or lack of, for terms like “special interest community group” which are broadly defined as “a community group declared by the director to be a special interest community group under section 11.” It gives the director unchecked discretion given which opens multiple avenues for discrimination against bona fide special interest groups.

Source: Standard Digital July 15, 2021 21:00 UTC