Activist Francis Awino shifts to diplomacy in push for accountability

Activist and Bunge la Mwananchi president Francis Awino has signalled a shift from street protests to legal action, saying activists will now pursue court processes and institutional engagement in their push for accountability.

Bunge la Mwananchi, often described as a people’s parliament, has long served as an open forum for political debate and citizen engagement, drawing youth, activists and members of the public to discuss national concerns and shape civic thought.

Speaking during a Bunge la Mwananchi forum in Nairobi, Mr Awino said the decision follows past protest experiences that resulted in loss of lives, noting that the movement is now adopting a more structured and strategic approach to governance issues.

He said the shift to diplomacy is informed by lessons drawn from previous demonstrations, including protests against the Finance Bill, where several Kenyans lost their lives.

Mr Awino explained that while protests have historically played a role in civic engagement, there is now a need to prioritise approaches that minimise risk while still holding institutions accountable.

“We said this time round we must use diplomacy. We don’t want to go to war because every time we go to war, the leaders lose their people,” Mr Awino said.

Awino, who has emerged as one of the leading voices within the movement, has previously been involved in public mobilisation and legal petitions targeting accountability in state and quasi-state institutions.

He pointed to a recent constitutional petition he filed at the High Court challenging the legitimacy of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) 2026 elections, saying the legal move was necessary to halt the implementation of contested results and prevent leaders from assuming office while issues of transparency persist.

Awino argues that the process that saw long-serving COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli re-elected was conducted in ways he says violated constitutional and labour laws, making immediate judicial intervention necessary.

“We are saying let us go to court and demand audited books and accountability because Kenyans deserve to know how their money is being used,” he said.

He said the new approach will involve engaging oversight institutions and using the courts to demand transparency, particularly from bodies that handle public or workers’ funds.

Awino maintained that accountability should apply across all sectors, warning that failure to enforce transparency undermines public trust and weakens governance structures.