This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
October 9, 2017
The Jubilee government's close ties with the Chinese Communist Party have sparked fears over the erosion of democracy in Kenya. According to a statement by the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) in 2014, China's ruling party would work closely with the Jubilee coalition to strengthen cooperation between them.
Guo Jinglong, the party's official, stated that the CPC and Jubilee share common principles of mutual equality and non-interference. However, this partnership has been marred by allegations of human rights violations and suppression of dissent by the Chinese government.
The Jubilee party sent its top officials to China for a two-month training by the Chinese Communist Party in October 2016. This move has raised eyebrows, given China's reputation for suppressing dissent and human rights abuses.
The government's handling of peaceful protests, including the Nairobi University protests, has exposed the rot in the Kenyan police force. It is imperative that the government adopts policies that promote democratic ideals and human rights, rather than those that stagnate them.
As Kenyans, we must be vigilant and ensure that our democracy is not compromised by external influences.
