In May, CRECO with support from Hivos under the Jukumu Letu Initiative began implementing the project ‘Promoting Citizens and CSO’s Effective participation in Governance at the County and National Levels’ in three (3 counties namely; Marsabit, Baringo and Kitui
. The project is being implemented directly by CRECO’s member organisations that are based, or work, in the stated counties above, these are; Pastoralists Community Development Organisation (PACODEO), Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) and Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRCE) respectively.

About JUKUMU LETU iMOP

The Jukumu Letu initiative is a campaign that seeks to build the capacity of both the demand and supply sides of the management of the public sector so as to ensure that the citizens get to benefit from devolution that was supposed to among others, give powers of self-governance to the people and to enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the state and in making decisions affecting them. Indeed, the responsibility of ensuring Transparency and Accountability in governance lies squarely with both citizens and the responsible officers.

Jukumu Letu (and therefore Innovative media Outreach Program- iMOP), program is premised on the need for citizens to establish the link between democracy, governance and basic needs and motivation for them to take actions desirous for bettering their lives. This project emphasizes the use of creative media form for the development of messages for education and the mobilisation of citizens to take action on aspects related to the implementation of the Constitution of Kenya. Using the appeal of media, art and culture is critical in the creation of acceptable messages and actions that citizens will be able to relate with and carry out in various parts of the country.

Target counties

The strategy involves collaboration with community groups and persons, for creation of innovative and relevant traditional and new media interventions that become the hall marks of citizens’ mobilisation for action. The project has been implemented in three (3) counties of Nairobi, Makueni and Nakuru but would extend to the rest of the counties given more resources and support. The vision is to reach out all citizens of this country where possible.

Implementing partners involved in the implementation of this project artist groups that include:

Vocal SARABI
Dial a Radio
Ghetto Radio
KATUNI
Kenya institute of Puppet Theatre (KIPT)
Dance Into Space (DIS)
DWAC - DJs With a Cause
Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE)

The Review Meeting

The purpose of the Review Meeting

Having undertaken activities in the first stage (pioneer) of Jukumu Letu through its implementing groups and partners which included planning, training of community artists, media engagement and the county launches/ public performances, CRECO felt that in order to assess the projects progress harness results so far, there was need to bring together all implementing partners especially those who had directly participated or had been involved.

About the Meeting

The meeting took place on 23^rd and 24^th June 2015 at the Go Down Art centre in Nairobi with a total of 27 people (21 male & 6 female). The groups represented involved the following; Sarabi, DWAC, DIS, KIPT, KATUNI, BAKE, Dial a radio, Ghetto radio. CRECO Implementing members were represented by Masese Paul of CEDGG Nakuru, Joseph Kioko of MAPACA Makueni and Hezron Katana of ILISHETRUST Mombasa. Hivos was represented by Nyambura Gathumbi and Stella Chege while the secretariat was represented by Regina Opondo, Joshua Changwony, Boaz Mugoto, Edna Change and Joel Muriungi. Mr. Kawive Wambua who is the quality control manager and Kimani wa Wanjiru who facilitated the program were also there.

The meeting was opened officially at 9.00 a.m with Ondiege leading in singing of the National Anthem. Joshua Changwony who is the CRECO Program Coordinator gave brief remarks and welcomed everyone to the meeting on behalf of Regina Opondo (CRECO Executive Secretary) and Nyambura Gathumbi (from HIVOS) who were attending different functions at the time. He gave a brief background to the project and the objective of the workshop as follows.