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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Kenya's political 'transition' through the eyes of its 'foot soldiers' for democracy and human rights (1997-2012)
Author:Press, Robert M.ISNI
Year:2012
Periodical:Journal of Contemporary African Studies (ISSN 0258-9001)
Volume:30
Issue:3
Pages:441-460
Language:English
Geographic term:Kenya
Subjects:action groups
protest
human rights
democracy
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02589001.2012.701843
Abstract:This is a study of young human rights activists who provide a unique window on Kenya's recent and turbulent political history (1997-2012). The period includes the end of authoritarian rule and election of a 'reform' government in 2002 that expanded some human rights but abused others. Based on archival materials and periodic, multiple interviews by the author with key youth activists, the findings make three contributions to the study of human rights and democracy. First, it identifies the often overlooked role of secondary level activists in a human rights/democracy social movement, the so-called 'foot soldiers'. Second, it explores the failure of Kenya to consolidate its democracy and quell police violence, including the assassination of two human rights investigators, an event which sent a chill through the activist community. Third, by tracing the trajectory of some 'foot soldiers' during this period, the study confirms a theory of a cycle of social movement activism but suggests modifications. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]
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