by Sauti Yetu | Aug 19, 2017 | Stories
On August 19, 2017 Sauti Yetu organized a Joint Community Forum in Sabab Ward, Nakuru County. The objective of the forum was to bring together the residents of Shabab ward with their immediate duty bearers i.e The Member of the County Assembly(MCA) and The Ward Administrator, to engage on key developmental issues facing the ward and chart together workable solutions to the challenges facing Shabab Ward. The forum kicked off at 9.30 a.m . In attendance were: ward administrator, Mrs. Elizabeth Wambui, Area Chief- Mr. Mwangi, Social Services Officer, Mr. Benjamin Salim, and Nakuru Dispensary Officer Mrs. Beatrice. Over 80 residents of Shabab ward attended the forum.
Among the outstanding issues raised by the residents of Shabab Ward were the cronic shortage of medicine in the dispensaries, poor waste management due to lack of a clear dumping site and sewerage services in the area. The residents of Shabab Ward also expressed their concerns with high levels of insecurity in the ward, citing high levels of unemployment among the youth in the ward and lack of security lights in the local market of the ward. Shortage of water was cited as a major problem in the ward, with residents expressing their disappointment with the county government for failing to help in solving the water problem.
The residents of Shabab Ward petitioned the ward administrator in attendance to forward their developmental concerns to the respective duty bearers in the county for appropriate action. The ward administrator challenged the residents of Shabab ward to make use of her office in the ward and raise their developmental concerns timely for appropriate and subsequent timely intervention.
by Sauti Yetu | Jul 25, 2017 | Stories
Garissa Township sub-county is one of the sub-counties in Garissa County. The sub-county has four wards which are; Galbet, Iftin, Waberi and Township ward. The sub-county (Constituency) is represented by honorable Aden Bare Duale as their Member of the National Assembly.
On July 25th 2017, Sauti Yetu held a political debate for all candidates vying for the position of the member of the National Assembly. The debate was held at Almond Resort Hotel and kicked off at 7.30 pm.
The objectives of the debate were; to provide a platform for the public that shifts the political agenda from it being politician-led to community-led and give community members the opportunity to assess and ascertain the suitability of potential leaders to vie for public office. To cultivate, shape and sustain issue-based electoral processes that utilize the principal of leadership and integrity as the supreme criteria of choosing potential leaders. To increase and sustain productive engagement between potential duty bearers and right holders through public participation in a way that fosters responsiveness and responsibility.
The candidates who attended the debate were; Honorable Farah Maalim of Wiper Party, Honorable Abdi Yale Mohammed an Independent candidate and Honorable Mohammed Suley of Amani National Congress party.
The main discussion in the debate was about inclusivity of all in the county as opposed to clannism. The reason was Garissa Township sub-county is one of the few that practice negotiated democracy where a council of elders known as ‘lords’ made of men, come together and decide who to hold what political position.
This kind of governing has a lot of negative implications such as; leaders who are mandated to serve the citizens end up consulting the ‘lords’ and instead of progress it ends up hindering services and development. The council of elders sits in the procurement committee hence no level playground for bidders as the ‘lords’ have lists of companies to be awarded tenders from whom they probably take kickbacks.
Leaders’ especially county executives cannot question the quality of work done by contractors and if they raise any concern the contractors tell the ‘lords’ who intimidate the administration. They incite the residents against the leadership whenever the leaders raise a question. The ‘lords’ also decide who gets employment depriving qualified youth employment opportunities a factor that drives some of them to be radicalized. As a result of segregated clans, small communities are marginalized hence negotiated democracy intensifies clannism.
This democracy contravenes the constitution especially the two-third gender rule as the council of elders are male dominated where women are left out in decision making processes. During party nominations, direct nominations are given to some aspirants while other aspirants are intimidated by the council of elders. This contravenes Article 81(a) freedom of citizens to exercise their political rights. Article 1(1) All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and shall be exercised only in accordance with this constitution.
In Garissa sub-county though a cosmopolitan, the clans outstanding in decision making are;
During the debate where 128 male and 38 female attended the candidates urged the community to shun clannism- conner tribe as they called it and this will end politics inclined to ones’ clan as this will champion the desire of the community instead of that of the clan and foster development.
During the debate the candidates and community members hailed Sauti Yetu for holding such a wonderful debate and requested for more of these debates for other elective positions.
by Sauti Yetu | Jul 17, 2017 | Stories
Mabatini ward is among the six wards of Mathare sub-county. The ward has 7 villages which are; Mabatini, No. 10, Thayu, Kwa Kariuki, Ngumba Bridge, Mashimoni and 3 C.
Sauti Yetu organized a political debate in this ward on 17th July 2017 which was to bring together the community and all aspiring candidates in the position of the member of the county assembly.
All the candidates who were formally invited to the debate did not attend the debate because angry community members a waited for them so that they (community members) would have an opportunity to vet their suitability in taking the task of representing them. Since the candidates did not attend, the participants who were angry wanted to know the procedure that they will follow to recall a member of a county assembly. The first Member of the county assembly after the promulgation of the 2010 constitution is honorable Wilfred Odalo elected on an Orange Democratic Movement party.
The community felt that there was no public participation, poor governance and incomplete projects yet they are said to be complete in the records of the city county. Some of the projects include; Ngumba Bridge market and a health centre in the same village and having public toilets within the ward.
The forum played a key role in informing the electorate the functions of the county government, qualifications and roles of a member of the county assembly.
The participants were concerned that their security may be compromised should they start processes such as recalling their member of the county assembly and/or even a member of the national assembly. In their reply Mr. Sure and Mrs. Otieno encouraged them not to work as individuals but as a community for the issues they will raise will affect the community at large.
The participants promised to keep peace before, during and after the elections. They even sang the first part of the National Anthem as part of their pledge.
The candidates never attended any political debates even one that was organized by the Catholic Church. This according to me shows how the leaders are not ready for public scrutiny.
by Sauti Yetu | Jul 12, 2017 | Stories
Sauti yetu organised a political debate in Galbet ward, Garissa Township County at Kazuko Primary School on 12th July 2017. The aim of the debate was to bring together all the aspirant who were vying for the Member of the County Assembly sit and community members of Galbet ward. The platform was set out for them to discuss their expectations, assess their potential leaders and how the community will benefit and opportunities brought to them. The forum started at 11.30 am and in attendance were Mr. Ibrahim Yussuf, Mr.Mohammed Abdi and Mr. Mohammed Noor. Over 90 community members from this ward attended the debate.
Issues raised by participants were; they demanded to be involved in prioritizing activities and projects. They demanded for inclusivity of all in the community and for them to be considered first during the tendering process. They lamented that the current MCA only considers his clan when it comes to giving bursaries.
Mr. Ibrahim promised that if elected he will bring inclusivity and co-existence to all the clans and tribes living in Galbet ward. He also said he will represent all the issues faced by the ward in the County Assembly and urged the youth who drop out of school to join the Polytechnic College for Vocational Training.
Mr. Mohammed Noor assured the participants that if they elect him he would bring back the ward as it was before by lobbying for better health centre, clean environment and water and sanitation.
Mr.Mohammed Abdi said that they will be equal distribution of resources for all and they will be free and fair tendering to all.
Finally the forum ended with the aspirants signing an accord, holding hands and singing the National Anthem.
by Sauti Yetu | Jul 7, 2017 | Stories
On July 7, 2017 Sauti Yetu organized a political debate Forum in Baba Dogo Ward, Ruaraka Sub-county Nairobi County at Shalom Evangelistic Ministries Church. The objective of the forum was to provide a platform to the citizens that shifts the political agenda from politician led to community led and give them the opportunity to assess and ascertain the suitability of potential leaders to vie for a public office. To cultivate and sustain issue based electoral processes that utilize the principals of leadership and integrity as the supreme criteria of choosing political leaders. The forum kicked off at 11.10 a.m. Those who attended were; Pascal Mulinge Wiper party, Philip Onono Independent candidate and Ramadhan Obiero Ukweli party. Representatives from the five villages of the ward members; Kasabuni, Kariadudu, Riverside, Baba Dogo and Laundry attended the forum.
Among the outstanding issues raised by community members were the youth and unemployment where the candidates responded by suggesting that what the youth need is self-discipline and vocational training which will enable them to be self-reliant for employment opportunities are limited. They also called for establishment of an Open air market in the ward to help in creating employment as many youth and women would engage themselves in self-employment instead of being idle.
Infrastructure, garbage and sewerage were also raised as issues that the community felt should be addressed. On their response the candidates said that they will liaise with landlords so that they divert the sewer lines from residential areas, they also promised to engage the Nairobi Water and sewerage company for the same cause.
The community members put the candidates to task by asking them to declare their wealth to them as they don’t want to elect leaders who are going to accumulate wealth. The candidates were also required to state whether they will still be reached using their current phone numbers or they will change them after being elected as some do and even don’t answer calls from the citizens. The candidates on their response promised not to change their numbers, and promised to involve the community in any activity as is in the constitution.
The candidates urged the community to elect leaders who are not corrupt and who uphold to the constitution and the fear of God.
