MLIFE Foundation suspends meetings in Kenya due to political unrest

A Kenyan-led non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the United States has suspended its meetings in Kenya due to political unrest.

The MLIFE Foundation, led by Kenyan-born Mwangi Mukami, said it had suspended all in-person meetings in Nairobi and Kilifi counties.

The foundation supports community activities in the areas of health and youth development in the two districts.

“We are deeply concerned about reports of kidnappings, unjustified arrests and unjustified detentions by the police,” Mwangi said.

He said Human ’24, MLIFE’s annual conference scheduled for July 31 in Nakuru, had also been postponed.

“The meeting in Nakuru was expected to be attended by 100 heads of state and government from the United States, Ghana and Kenya,” Mwangi said in a statement.

The Foundation will convene the new MLIFE grantees on July 31 via Zoom.

The MLIFE Heritage Tour program, which brings students from California to Kenya for a cultural exchange and was scheduled for July 26 to August 5, has also been postponed.

Mwangi urged President William Ruto to streamline government to better serve the needy and to urgently address corruption and public debt.

“We commend the President for his important decisions, including his rejection of the finance bill, the dissolution of the Cabinet and the acceptance of the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome,” he said.

Mwangi reiterated the unwavering commitment to support Kenya and the efforts of the international community, including the Ford Foundation, to strengthen Kenya’s democratic space and empower the people’s right to shape their future through active citizen engagement, education and collaboration.