Good governance is a vital element for the success of any organization, especially at the community level in Kenya, where transparency and accountability are crucial for the wellbeing of all stakeholders. However, many systems and organizations often fall short of implementing the core principles of good governance, leading to corruption, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of trust among community members. Community organizations play a crucial role in fighting these injustices by advocating for transparency, integrity, and responsible leadership. By holding systems and organizations accountable for their actions and promoting the principles of good governance, these community organizations can work towards creating a more ethical, sustainable, and prosperous future for all members of the community.
In partnership with AfriNov, the Venus Group membership received the Turning the Tide Capacity building program and hit the ground running with social change campaigns. The first campaign focused on the problem of unemployment. The group realized that there were some opportunities in the area, but there was low involvement of youth from Shauri Moyo, which was their locality. The campaign goal of the group targeted the prioritization and involvement of local youths in government projects in the area. The group held several meetings with the contractors and lobbied for members of the area. The group got a chance to have several members considered for casual jobs in a road construction project that came to the area, marking the success of the first campaign after training. However, this victory was short-lived as the project stalled. While still following up on the matter, the area chief was changed, and leadership in the area took a different turn.
There were complaints that the new local area leadership did not work in harmony with the community. The community members had raised several pressing issues, including a lack of community participation, allegations of tribalism, abuse of power through sexual harassment, theft and extortion, mistreatment of foreigners, and general complaints against the chief’s leadership. Undeterred, the group set its sights on the broader issue of transforming the leadership in Blue Estate. The group established the Blue Estate Residents Association, giving the community a united voice to advocate for change.
The group held meetings and engaged with authorities to address the grievances raised for a more inclusive and efficient community leadership structure. However, attempts to hold a consultative meeting with the chief was thwarted when he failed to show up. This setback only made the group more resolute, as they had uncovered the deep-seated issues and were uniting the community to challenge the entrenched power structures. Venus set out to challenge the status quo and advocate for good leadership, and wrote a letter to the chief while copying various authorities, to address the issues raised. They also sent a delegation to engage the chief while reaching out to higher authorities and the broader community to build a powerful alliance. By doing so, they aimed to disrupt the top-down governance that had allowed injustice to thrive and replace it with a model of community-led transformation.
After persistence, the chief finally invited the community for a meeting at the Chiefs baraza. He acknowledged the community’s concerns and formed a committee together with the Blue Estate community to address the issues using a more inclusive community leadership structure. The group reports that it took some time to get a favorable result, and by employing nonviolent approaches to engage with the chief, the relationship between the local area chief and the community has improved.
The group’s efforts have led to increased consultation between local government and local organizations in governance, which has reduced confrontation. There is a clear system of engagement in place, improved relationships with government representatives, and increased involvement and participation of the community in local leadership structure. The community has also formed new governance structures to suit local needs, and the integration of non-violence peace champions into local leadership has further contributed to the transformation of governance in Blue Estate.
By fostering increased community involvement, integrating peace champions into local leadership roles, and addressing pressing issues like corruption and exploitation, the Venus Group has catalyzed a shift towards more transparent and inclusive governance practices. Through their unwavering dedication, they are paving the way for a future where justice, accountability, and community participation reign supreme in Blue Estate.
