MoProBono Fall 2018 Newsletter

5 MoProBono Fall 2018 Howard believes that, in addition to education and enforcement of the UNGPs, social media will be an increasingly powerful tool for Kenyans to use to shed light on abuses of human rights. According to Howard, human rights abuses that were secret in years prior are now getting much-needed exposure through social media sharing. “What has been mostly a remote issue can now be brought to light by using the power of the consumer to influence businesses to do the right thing,” he says. Howard notes additionally that, “Although there is a significant problem of corruption in the country, the Kenyans we met have a determination to fight to clean up business and politics, they have a proud and effective legal profession, an acute realization of their heritage, a beautiful natural environment, and a growing and aspiring middle class.” The Kenya workshop marks the sixth of its kind conducted in the region. Other workshops have taken place in Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Zanzibar, and Rwanda. Funding and technical support for the workshop series were instituted by the Rule of Law Expertise UK (ROLE UK) and UKAid. Morrison & Foerster partnered with Advocates for International Development (A4ID), the regional bar association of East Africa, the East Africa Law Society (EALS), and numerous global law firms and professional services companies on the campaign. Reflecting on their experience, both Howard and Shruti agree there is a significant case to be made for investing human resources and capital in Kenya. “The silver lining is that there is a real hunger for economic progress and respect for human rights among the general population,” adds Howard. Shruti Chandhok Howard Morris