The People Dialogue Festival (PDF)

For years, @CMDKenya has harnessed its convening power as a trusted, neutral and non-partisan platform to keep the conversation going. From the People Dialogue Festival to Gumzo Mtaani, Gumzo Mtandaoni, Gumzo Shuleni and our town halls, we continue to create spaces where citizens, political actors and other stakeholders can come together, exchange ideas and engage on the issues that matter.

Because dialogue cannot be a once-a-year conversation. It must live in our communities, schools, digital spaces and public forums - wherever people are and whenever the country needs to talk. 🇰🇪🤝🏾 #FormNiDialogue

Democracy works better when political actors have spaces to talk to one another. 🤝🏾 At the People Dialogue Festival, CMD Kenya works closely with political parties alongside other political actors to create space for meaningful dialogue, exchange and engagement across political differences.

Because while competition is an essential part of democracy, collaboration is what helps democracy move forward. PDF provides a neutral space where political players can engage one another, listen to different perspectives and, importantly, engage citizens beyond the campaign trail. This is what #FormNiDialogue is all about: creating room for political dialogue that strengthens Kenya’s multiparty democracy. 🇰🇪

It takes a mighty village to build a Festival - and an even mightier one to sustain it. ❤️ Eight years and 11 editions of the People Dialogue Festival have only been possible because of the incredible people and institutions who have continued to show up, contribute, collaborate and believe in the power of dialogue. From political parties and government institutions to diplomatic missions, development partners, civil society, private sector, schools, youth, creatives and citizens - every partner has added a thread to the tapestry that is #FormNiDialogue.

PDF has never been the work of one institution. It is a shared endeavour, strengthened by different actors bringing their ideas, expertise, communities, resources and perspectives to the table. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has walked this journey with us, some from the very first edition and others who joined along the way. Here’s to the mighty village that continues to build, sustain and believe in the People Dialogue Festival - together. 🤝🏾❤️

What happens when young people are not simply invited to a conversation about democracy, but are trusted to help shape it? You get louder questions. New ideas. Different perspectives. And a democracy that begins to look a little more like the people it serves.

Through its partnership with CMD Kenya, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kenya has consistently championed spaces where young people can speak, question, engage, and influence public discourse. From the People Dialogue Festival to opportunities for young people in the Centre For Multiparty Democracy Kenya network to engage directly with global leaders, the partnership has continued to demonstrate the power of taking youth voices seriously.

We proudly present the Youth Voices for Democracy Award to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya.✊🏾

#FormNiDialogue

Some partners arrive at the beginning of a journey and stay long enough to become part of its history. Since the inaugural People Dialogue Festival in 2019, @denmarkinkenya has been a steadfast partner in the Festival’s journey - supporting its growth, evolution and institutionalisation over the years.

Eight years. Eleven editions. Countless conversations. Thousands of people brought together. And through it all, a partnership grounded in a shared belief that inclusive, participatory, and accountable democracy is worth investing in.

We present the Legacy Partnership Award to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya for believing in the idea from the beginning and continuing to believe in it. ❤️

#FormNiDialogue