Introduction

This position paper presents the outcomes of extensive research conducted in October 2023, exploring the pivotal role and impactful contributions of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Coast Region of Kenya to socio-economic, legal, and political development. Jointly initiated by the Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) and Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP), with generous support from the Kingdom of Netherlands via UNDP’s Civil Society Facility Amkeni Wakenya, this research endeavor sheds light on the transformative role played by CSOs in the coastal region. These organizations have emerged as staunch advocates for social justice, human rights, and equitable development, catalyzing positive change, fostering heightened civic awareness, and facilitating increased participation in governance processes. Notably, CSOs have significantly influenced policy formulation, particularly in areas addressing gender equality, gender-based violence (GBV), civic education, and the national development agenda known as the Big 4 Agenda. Moreover, they have actively engaged in peacebuilding efforts, conflict resolution initiatives, and fostering improved relations between communities and security agencies.

Despite their commendable contributions, CSOs operating in the Kenyan coast encounter various challenges, including dependency on external donor funding, restrictive legal frameworks, and strained relationships with government partners. Nevertheless, they persist in championing vital contributions to social, economic, legal, and political development, advocating tirelessly for vulnerable and marginalized communities, and promoting equitable progress.

A comparative analysis with global CSO trends reveals both commonalities and distinct practices among CSOs worldwide.

In Western countries like Cambodia, CSOS face similar challenges to those in Kenya but have adopted strategic responses to mitigate external resource dependence, shifting towards local embeddedness and enhancing organizational autonomy. In contrast, Nordic countries such as Norway exhibit a tradition of self-regulation among CSOs, with a growing recognition globally for flexible regulatory environments. European CSOs, particularly in France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, are actively engaged in participatory decision-making, leveraging digital platforms for inclusivity, in line with the global trend towards technology use in civic engagement. For instance, in Scandinavia countries like Sweden, CSOs benefit from long-term partnerships with donors prioritizing sustained impact, aligning with the international trend towards strategic and collaborative funding.

Recent global developments highlight a shift towards digital transformation, alignment with global challenges such as climate change, a focus on intersectionality, and the integration of data analytics and technology in CSO strategies. In conclusion, while challenges faced by CSOs in the Kenyan Coast resonate with global trends, there exists an opportunity for regional organizations to leverage global best practices. By embracing innovations in financial sustainability, legal frameworks, civic and government engagement, and donor relations, CSOs can navigate challenges and enhance their impact within the dynamic global landscape of civil society.

It’s a platform for jointly lobbying and advocating for increased good governance and accountability from duty bearers and for strengthening internal capacities for fundraising and sustainability. The Mombasa CSOs network is for example implementing a product funded by Act, Change and Transform on the Kenya Devolution Program. Through implementation of such projects, CSOs build internal blocks as a network and also as individual organizations for its efficiency.

Kilifi CSOs Network has developed and is implementing its CSOs Self-Regulation Framework which includes compliance, improvement of CSOs efficiency and accountability in their services delivery which reduces targeted attacks by regulatory bodies for non-compliance.

2.0 Current State of CSOs in the Coast Region

Challenges Facing CSOs in the Kenyan Coast

1. Heavy Reliance on External Donor Funding:
Like their national counterparts, CSOs in the Kenyan Coast heavily depend on external donor funding, constituting 80.5% of their financial support, according to the Annual NGO Sector Report, 2021/22. While crucial, this reliance proves insufficient, and unreliable, and often shapes organizational priorities and strategies, hindering the pursuit of their missions and genuine community needs. The dependency on external donors by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in the Kenyan Coast is a critical aspect that has profound implications for the sustainability and autonomy of these organizations.

1.1. Impact on Autonomy:
External donor dependence can erode the autonomy of CSOs. Donors often come with specific requirements, conditions, and expectations attached to their funding. These include specific focus programmatic or thematic areas and project locations or counties.

To secure and maintain financial support, CSOs may find themselves compelled to align their agendas and activities with the preferences of donors , potentially diverting attention from their original missions and compromising their independence indecision-making. Similarly, some organizations have been forced to abandon their niche or cast their net wider by focusing on more thematic areas or establishing physical offices in more than one county while others operate in/from all the six counties in the coast region which puts them at an advantaged position unlike others.

A good case study is the Muslim Women Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP) which operates in all the six coastal counties including Garissa in Northern Kenya, and as a result, they have accessed funding for their projects in Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Garissa counties.

Other organizations like KECOSCE have initiated programs to diversify their resource base and reducing on their carbon footprints by use of solar energy.

1.2. NGO Coordination’s Sustainability Index:
The reliance on external donors for a substantial portion of funding exposes CSOs to inherent vulnerabilities. External funding sources can be unpredictable, subject to geopolitical and economic fluctuations, and may be contingent on the donor’s shifting priorities. As a result, CSOs face the constant challenge of securing consistent and reliable financial support, which is essential for sustaining their operations and implementing long-term projects.

The NGO Coordination’s report, highlighting a sustainability index of 53%, underscores the magnitude of the challenge faced by CSOs in maintaining self-sufficiency. This index is an indicator of the extent to which CSOs can sustain their operations without heavy reliance on external funding.

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