The ongoing grassroots leadership accountability and engagement forums in Kwale County, located in the Coastal region of Kenya, have proven to be an effective tool in bridging the gap between communities and their political leaders.
This program, known as Kiongozi Maskani (Leaders at the grassroots level), is spearheaded by the human rights organization, Human Rights Agenda (HURIA). Its primary focus is to bring together political leaders and local residents at the grassroots level to deliberate, discuss, and engage with each other. The ultimate goal is to find amicable solutions to the various challenges faced by the local population throughout Kwale County.
One of the key components of the program is Bunge Mashinani (Parliament at the grassroots level) and Kikao cha Uwajibikaji (Public accountability forum). These forums allow different interest groups, such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), to directly engage with their political leaders. Through these discussions, participants address various issues related to leadership and development. The aim is for each party to play its role in addressing emerging issues effectively.
A recent example of the program’s impact is the involvement of a group of youth leaders and activists. HURIA organized a visit to the Kwale County Assembly to orient them to the process of presenting public motions, complaints, or any public concerns that require intervention by the County assembly.
Additionally, the leaders involved in Kiongozi Maskani actively engage with the local population at the grassroots level. They discuss essential topics such as development, education, unfulfilled promises from past elections, accountability, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at a Kiongozi Maskani forum in Msambweni, Kwale County, Mwinyihaji Chamosi, HURIA’s Public Complaints and Response Officer, emphasized how the program has empowered the locals in the four sub-counties of Matuga, Msambweni, Lungalunga, and the larger Kinango, which is merged with Samburu.
Previously, youth participation in public forums, whether organized by different groups, organizations, the national government, or the county government, was low. However, as a result of the program, youth are now actively following and participating in various developmental aspects at the grassroots level. These engagement forums have become a crucial part of their involvement in community affairs.
Chamosi expressed satisfaction with the program’s impact, stating, “It is evident that our efforts have yielded fruit. Both the local leadership and the residents are eager to participate in these engagement forums. Locals raise their concerns to their leaders, and the leaders respond to their various issues. This is the transformative change we have been striving for, for a long time.”Lastly, Kiongozi Maskani has also played a role in quelling political rivalries that were evident during the August 2022 general elections. The clashes between youth groups aligned with Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza, largely fueled by their respective political leaders, have diminished. However, after the election, HURIA returned to the local communities to engage them on the importance of peaceful coexistence and effectively managed the political tensions following the election. As a result, the situation has remained calm and former political adversaries are now living in harmony.
“After conducting a series of engagements with these youth groups, alongside their political leaders directly in their villages, they came together and formed registered youth groups. Consequently, they have been able to benefit from various tenders offered by the Kwale County government,” emphasized HURIA’s Public Complaints Response Officer.
Through the Kikao cha Uwajibikaji (Public Accountability Forums), the communities identify and address concerns or problems. They follow up on specific issues and report their findings to HURIA, which collaborates with committees to file formal complaints with relevant authorities, including the Kwale County Assembly, to advocate for action.
“For instance, community groups are currently addressing health-related issues in the Lungalunga constituency, specifically the Mamba and Vitsangalaweni health centres, in terms of service delivery. Similarly, a team from Msambweni is focusing on the Ukunda TVET aspect. Additionally, in the Samburu area, the community has taken the initiative to follow up on the delayed reconstruction of Ndohivyo Primary School, which was affected by the construction of the SGR in 2016, and to date, the construction has not progressed. These are just a few examples of the issues being pursued by the empowered communities, and we are proud of their efforts,” he added.
Furthermore, the Human Rights Group (HURIA) closely monitors the inclusion of physically challenged individuals in both democratic and development agendas in Kwale County.
Recognizing the efforts made by HURIA in empowering communities and ensuring that the authorities listen to the concerns of the locals and address their grievances, Hamza Salim, a youth activist from Ng’ombeni in Matuga Sub-county, commended the human rights organization for bridging the gap between young people and leaders throughout Kwale County.
“In the past, youth in our area often complained of being marginalized in economic opportunities, particularly those provided by the county government. However, since HURIA launched Kiongozi Maskani, local leaders have guided us on how to access various tenders announced by the Kwale County government. Now, we are able to participate in those tenders and other economic opportunities,” said Salim.These sentiments were echoed by Nsema Hoka, another youth activist and Chairperson of the Wapapa Waste Management Youth Group in the Kombani area of Matuga Sub-county. Hoka stated that through the local public accountability forum under Kiongozi maskani, they have gained a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of local leaders, which has also fostered unity between the two parties. “When local residents convene in the same forum as their leaders, they have the opportunity to gain a clear understanding of their respective job descriptions and how these responsible leaders can empower the locals to achieve greater heights in terms of livelihood programs, social concerns, development projects, and even education issues. The availability of HURIA has brought us closer to our leaders,” she stated.
