On 25th November, 2017 Sauti Yetu together with identified community based organisations from Kivumbini ward; Nakuru East Sub-County organised a Joint Community Forum in Kivumbini Ward.

The community groups that spearheaded the joint community forum had initially undergone a Toolkit Training and mentorship by Sauti Yetu that equipped them with the necessary skills required to organise community forums dialogue forums. The organisations involved included: Nakuru East Tenants Association (NATENA), Bright Life CBO and Great Heights initiative.

The forum brought together residents of Kivumbini Ward, business community, community leaders, the police, community groups, religious groups, individuals and a representative of the MCA. The Ward Administrator, who had been invited, sent an apology. The event was attended by 105 participants.

Key issues emanated from the Kivumbini community dialogue forum included:

Security

• The police were accused of soliciting for bribes during swoops and arbitrary arrests
• Mugging and robbery with violence around Mumias road

Health

• A proposed health center had not yet been constructed despite allocation in the current 2017/18 Financial Year budget

Infrastructure

• Sewer line need to be upgraded to accommodate the growing population

Education

• Need for a comprehensive policy on Early Childhood Development (ECD)
• Lack of ECD teachers in the area

Twelve (12) members of the community volunteered to form the initial Community Action Group to follow through on the issues of education, health and infrastructure with office of the ward administrator and that of the Member of the County Assembly for resolution.

Responding to issues of insecurity raised by the residents during the joint community forum, Ms Vera from the Bondeni Police Station blamed the members of the community for concealing vital information about criminals in the area that the police needed to help curb insecurity.