Often, there is a strong shield to taint Kenya as a perfect destination for corruption.  Does it mean that there is no good news on governance and the fight against corruption in Kenya? This is a complete misconception and that is why CPDA started the Alternative Leadership programme through the Neighbourhood Assemblies (NAs).

Albeit at very low levels, we have seen home grown strategies where communities have demonstrated good leadership and action in tackling corruption. The communities under the NAs have shown excellence in leadership and provided a platform for good governance. These institutions have made every effort to lift the community from echelons of poor leadership, ensure resources are managed transparently, and communities fully participate in the development initiatives.  Some of the community actions, albeit under difficult circumstances and limited resources. Their resilience against personal and group risks must be recognized. 

Chavakali Market Stakeholders, not only used their time and expertise but also followed the misappropriation of resources meant for construction of Chavakali Market Complex up to highest levels-Parliament Accounts Committee.   The group took issue with shoddy work, incomplete works, and disregard of architectural design of the Ksh.20 million-Market. 

In November 2009, the then PS Local Government, Mr. Sammy Kirui, who made a site visit, conceded that Chavakali Market posed serious danger to the public. The shoddy construction was stopped and stakeholders were assured that action will be taken on the contractor. The PAC led by Hon. Thomas L. Mwadeghu, Hon. Mwatela Andrew, Hon. Nemesyus Warugongo, Hon. Steven Koech and Ms Kendia, Director of Urban Planning also visited the site and made similar recommendations.

However, by March 2010, no appropriate action taken. Chavakali Stakeholders want the Ministry of Local Government take appropriate steps and discipline the contractor, refund misappropriated funds  and finalise construction of the market as planned. 

Joint session of Evojo, Wenyange, Chavakali, Keveye and Lisaswa NAs took issue with the poor management of Solongo Polytechnic.  Institution manager allegedly misappropriated a approximately Ksh.1.8 million meant for electrification but diverted for construction of a classroom. On 17th June 2009, NAs actions prompted the District Officer for Chavakali and Sabatia to hold stakeholder meeting which led to dissolution of the board and sacking of the Manager.

Chavakali Streeet lighting:  Further, joint session of Evojo, Wenyange, Chavakali, Keveye and Lisaswa  NAs were keen in the preparation of Local Authority Service Delivery Action Plans (LASDAPs), a participatory process which is one of the conditions for local authorities to access Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF) money. The process provides opportunities for promoting community involvement in the planning and budgeting process. The NAs questioned demanded for accountabilities for the previous disbursements of Kshs. 600,000 meant for street lighting in Chavakali.

“We want to know how ten poles could cost this much?” queried Mr. Erastus Luvai, a member of Chavakali NA.
 
The members almost paralyzed the meeting to get clear accountabilities of the project The council come under fire for doing nothing about the lighting program.  It took intervention with the Mayor who promised to provide detailed accountabilities.  The council promised of better services in future which include working street lights and hastened installation of the second phase of the project earmarked for in 2009/10 financial year.

High cost tea fertilizers: Gaigedi NA petitioned the Ministry of Agriculture over high tea fertilizer prices, and weighing scale for the bags. In response, the Permanent Secretary indicated that the government way aware of the problem and was in the process of purchasing new weighing machines.  He indicated that this problem is a nationwide, and was being addressed at a government policy level.

Census censor: Recommendation by Illungu Neighbourhood Assembly helped to ensure that a fair process was used in recruitment of census officials in Ebukhunza Sub Location.  The NA leaders scrutinized all the appointment on behalf of the community. Those who were recruited fraudulently prior to NAs intervention were revoked.  

Demand for service delivery:  Ebunangwe NA helped to streamline health services at the community centre. Nurses who had tendencies of arriving late and leaving as early as two o’clock were summoned by the NA. Due to NAs intervention the nurses are reporting on time and the quality of services has improved tremendously. The NA has also lobbied for funds to renovate the facility.

Curbing “ghost projects”:  Masana Neighborhood Assembly was against malpractices   at Mang’ongo Water Project, whose construction was controversial. Originally the project was allocated Ksh.1 million shillings for construction of a water tank. Since the tank was poorly done, the committee that oversaw its poor construction demolished it. Masana NAs noted that undisclosed amount of money had been pumped to this project to no avail. It is alleged that the decision to demolish the “shoddy tank” was driven by corrupt tendencies to cover up embezzled funds.  By 2009, additional Kshs. 1 million had been allocated for the same project, to the chagrin of the community.  

“We have no confidence in the water management committee, they are the same people who presided over ghost project and now they are shamelessly asking us to entrust them with addition Kshs 1.5 million? It is an abuse of the highest order.” said Mr. Isaac Otieno a Community Health Worker, Masana NA.

Increased pressure from the Masana Neighbourhood Assembly forced the area MP on until the committee was investigated against the allegations.

Conclusion
Any country that values transparence and good governances, needs a network of empowered citizens with platforms to hold the leaders and government officials accountable. Corruption thrives on ignorance of the masses and limited avenues to address the vise. All we need is strong community owned anti-corruption structures from the lowest levels to highest levels.

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