BACKGROUND INFORMATION: RPP During the late 1980s and early 1990s the Kenyan socio-political scene was replete with pressure groups that were demanding the expansion of political space that had been severely constricted to a point where total repression was the order of the day. By the end of 1980s, which had witnessed the collapse of the former Soviet block, Kenyans piled acute pressure for socio-political transformation in the country. One such pressure group was formed in December 1991 and named the Release Political Prisoners (RPP) Pressure Group. It evolved out of the initial efforts of individual activists who were pressurising for the release of political prisoners and to bring to focus the suffering of their families.

At inception, its chief objective was to campaign for the release of all political prisoners in Kenya, and to fight for an end to political persecution in the country. After the constitutional amendment of December 1991 that repealed Section 2A of the Constitution of Kenya that had made Kenya a de jure one party state, the pressure group was launched. It drafted its constitution in November 1992 and later revised in June 1997.

At this time of re-introducing political pluralism after its criminalisation in 1982, many Kenyans were languishing in jails due to their political persuasion. There were at least 52 political prisoners languishing in Kenya’s jails during this period. The decade that preceded the repeal of Section 2A had witnessed unparalleled political repression in the history of independent Kenya as anyone who dared criticise the autocratic leadership of the one party dictatorship was ruthlessly silenced and incarcerated. The raison detre for RPP as a pressure group received a major boost when the majority of the mothers of the political prisoners came together at the Freedom Corner in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park to demand for the release of their sons.

The repeal of the section in the constitution that had outlawed political pluralism did not, however, immediately usher in a change in the way the country’s political space was being managed. Hence it was recognised that democratic governance would not come easily just because of this amendment which was actually forced on the KANU government by mounting local and international pressure. There was no goodwill on the part of the ruling elite to even release people who had been confined due to their championing of political pluralism and good governance. In effect, the government argued that those people were actually criminals and not political prisoners.

In the whole excitement that ensued, many politicians (even those who had been ardent supporters of the ruling party) only hastened to form opposition parties, oblivious of the fate of the people in prison who had fought hard to help create the democratic space that they were beginning to enjoy. Despite the de-criminalisation of political pluralism in the country, the laws and traditions of a one party system were still in force and political repression persisted. In addition, repressive laws were used to muzzle the press and the activities of opposition groups

This is the environment in which RPP was launched. Then there were an estimated 52 political prisoners in the country who had been jailed for taking part in the crusade for political changes in Kenya. Highlighting the fate of these people did not bear immediate fruit given the intransigence of the KANU regime and its flawed interpretation of the status (i.e. categorisation) of these prisoners. Hence, pressure had to be mounted.

After the initial goal of fighting the release of political prisoners in existence, RPP later widened its mandate. The objectives of RPP were, therefore, expanded to include campaigning for:

1. An end to political persecutions, and educating Kenyans on their rights and freedoms

2. The repeal of unjust and repressive laws

3. Documentation of cases of political nature

4. The abolition of capital punishment

5. Free and fair trial through an independent and impartial judiciary

6. The return and rehabilitation of ex-political prisoners and exiles

7. An end to torture and all forms of degrading and inhuman treatment, including corporal punishment

8. Humane conditions in prisons and remand homes

9. An end to victimisation of people for their political beliefs and opinions, including offering such people legal, material and moral support.

VISION

RPP envisions a society founded on human dignity, equity, social justice and democratic ideals.

MISSION

Founded in 1991, RPP is committed to rights awareness, the abolition of all forms of repression and persecution, especially of prisoners and the realisation of social transformation through advocacy, mobilisation, capacity development and other processes that empower citizens.

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

To contribute to the development of systems and structures to ensure the protection and promotion of political, social, economic, and cultural rights of citizens.

CORE VALUES

The following are the descriptions of core values that will guide the activities of RPP:

Commitment to human dignity and rights Openness, fairness, honesty in all activities Willingness to defend others whose rights are violated Consistency in upholding the values, principles, and policies of RPP.

Discipline and self sacrifice Undertaking agreed tasks with diligence Setting aside personal interests for the sake of the organisation Upholding the integrity of RPP at all times Showing unwavering commitment to the nation and its peoples.

Democracy and participation Exercising total fairness to all and giving each one a chance Upholding the principles of openness in all activities Taking responsibility for all agreed actions Tolerating diverse views and opinions

Gender equity and equality Giving all an opportunity in membership recruitment and employment, irrespective of their gender or ethnicity. Recognising the special needs of all and exercising fairness Providing for affirmative action in favour of women

Solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged Respecting the dignity and reaffirming the rights of the poor and disadvantaged Viewing poverty as a human right violation Being sensitive to and exercising solidarity with the disadvantaged. More resources on Kenyan activism can be found at the A&S site.