Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

Much of the literature on the impact of NGOs on politics and democratization in Africa relates to their potential for 'pluralizing civil society' as suggested by Michael Bratton (1989b). However, this assertion has not been adequately demonstrated. This paper seeks to demonstrate the proposition by examining organized efforts by Kenyan NGOs to lobby for their own 'enabling environment.' in response to the introduction of lhe Controlling NGO legislation. The NGOs si-ccesses in this arena, I argue, are milestones in defining state-civii society relations in Kenya.