What does it mean to fail forward in organising, and how do movements survive across generations?

In this episode, recorded at Mashujaa Heritage Archives in Kibichuku, Monica Kamandau sits down with veteran Kenyan organiser and scholar Njuki Githethwa. With nearly three decades in resistance and movement building, Dr. Njuki reflects on the evolution of Kenya’s struggles, from the Mau Mau movement to today’s Gen Z protests and the Kenya Left Alliance.

Key Ideas and Highlights

Failing forward as a movement practice

Movements must evolve, regroup, and shed their skin in order to survive. Failure is not an end point, but a foundation for renewal.

Mobilising versus organising

Life and death issues bring people to the streets, but ideology, identity, and belonging are what sustain movements over time.

Liberated zones as paths to revolution

Small, tangible victories and spaces of freedom inspire people and show what justice and liberation can look like in practice.

Licensing

Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. The Beautiful Trouble toolbox inspires our podcast.

Resources & Show Links

Mashujaa Heritage Archives, Kibichuku

Fail Forward

Credits

Host: Monica Kamandau

Guest: Njuki Githethwa

Producer & Audio Producer: Rodgers George

Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum