HAKI Africa Executive Director Khalid Hussein (green color) during a press briefing, August 16, 2017. [Photo|HAKI Africa]HAKI Africa joined other civil society organisations from Nairobi and Mombasa to condemn the latest attack to the sector through two leading organisations - Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Africa Centre for Open Governance (AfriCOG).HAKI Africa Executive Director Khalid Hussein affirmed that the organisation would continue to work with others to defend the civil space in the country. "Fundamental rights and freedoms must be promoted and protected by all, everywhere, all the time," he said, Wednesday, and slammed the Non-Governmental Organisation Board CEO Fazul Mohammed, for allegedly overstepping on his mandate.Fazul has received critisim from across various institutions, after ordering for the shutdown of KHRC and AfriCOG, and arrest of its directors.He claimed they were operating illegally and had evaded tax, claims that its directors dismissed.The two institutions said Fazul was working under orders, to frustrate them, for criticising government.
The Ministry of Interior and Coordination through Acting Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i however came to the rescue of the two organisations, and ordered Fazul to stop any attacks on them, for a period of 90 days, on August 16.
According to the CS, KHRC and AfriCOG should be given a chance to defend themselves.