How to empower communities financially

In a world where systemic exclusion often stifles progress, it’s easy to feel disillusioned by big promises that don’t help the most vulnerable.

However, Kenya has seen the real impact of true advocacy as part of Transparency International’s Rallying Efforts to Accelerate Progress (REAP) project, which concluded late last year. The multi-country project is meant to address illicit financial flows and abusive practices that perpetuate economic inequalities and hinder sustainable development in Africa. In Kenya, the project also focused on government policies and decisions to make them fairer, to benefit the underserved communities. The project focused on Public Financial Management (PFM). We dug deep into how PFM policies impact service delivery, revealing the underlying systems that trap people in poverty and exclusion. Ideally, tax revenues and public funds should be fairly distributed to support essential services like healthcare, education and social welfare.

However, when oversight is lacking, and corruption diverts resources meant for public use, these services decline or fail to reach those who need them most. This systemic exclusion creates a vicious cycle where marginalised communities remain stuck in poverty, unable to escape the constraints of an unfair system. To combat this, we have been working directly with communities to ensure they have a voice and a stake in decisions that affect their lives. Their active participation is crucial because it means these communities can hold authorities accountable and push for fairer distribution of resources.

One of the most compelling examples of our recent impact is the legislative progress achieved across various counties. In Kiambu County, for instance, a long-stalled Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Bill finally saw light of day after years. When the Bill, sponsored by the Youth, Sports, and Social Services Committee, was passed in the County Assembly, it was a victory for many who never thought they would see their rights codified in law. It also led to the formation of a board tasked with ensuring PWD issues form part of the county’s economic and social agenda.

The enactment of Siaya County Persons with Disability Act 2023, was another significant milestone in cultivating inclusive governance. Transparency International Kenya played a key role in empowering local community groups to actively contribute to the legislative process, enabling them to engage directly with PWD group members.

Our efforts have led Machakos and Makueni counties to allocate budget in their annual development plans for PWDs, women, and people living with HIV, significantly enhancing access to education, healthcare, and social welfare for marginalised communities.

In Bungoma County, the advocacy for a Disability Mainstreaming Policy turned the spotlight on persistent employment and funding disparities that had been ignored for far too long, buoyed by the passion of local advocates and their strong determination to change the status quo.

Projects like REAP show that change is not just possible; it’s happening. Often, the focus is on top-down initiatives, forgetting that lasting solutions come from the grassroots. It’s about empowering people to advocate for their rights, ensuring their voices become a cornerstone of policy development. Our involvement in the project served as a call to action for all stakeholders. 

-The writer is Executive Director, Transparency International Kenya