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A visit to Tonde Primary School, where parents and community leaders took the lead in driving the institution’s development.
At the core of Muhoroni Sub-County in Kisumu County, a quiet revolution towards positive change is unfolding thanks to the partnership between Kisumu Medical and Educational Trust (KMET), KCDF, and Wilde Ganzen. Here, local communities are becoming powerful agents of change, advocating for accountability and driving their development.
The Uongozi Bora Mashinani project, an initiative that seeks to strengthen citizen participation in county governance, has proven transformative. Through this project, KMET has empowered the people of Muhoroni to hold their leaders accountable and actively participate in the decision-making processes that impact their lives. In collaboration with the county government and local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), KMET has been instrumental in drafting the “County Access to Information Policy and Bill,” a key policy to improve transparency and public access to crucial government data.
One of the most striking impacts of this project has been the improvement in civic engagement. The relationship between the community and local leaders has become more open and responsive. Through regular meetings and constructive dialogue, residents have been able to express their concerns and needs, with tangible results.
From these efforts, Tonde Primary School in Muhoroni was allocated KES 3.6 million for the construction of new classrooms by the Constituency Development Fund—an outcome of effective community advocacy and engagement. This success reflects the growing confidence in the community to hold leaders accountable and demand resources for development.
A significant shift in mindset has also been seen in the local community, particularly in Tonde. The project has fostered a strong sense of ownership among the people, with a newfound belief that change starts from within. As one local saying goes, “lokruok chako kodwa” meaning, change begins with you. This ethos is being implemented, with the community mobilizing to solve their problems. Tonde’s community, led by the Board of Management, pooled their resources to fence part of the school compound and refurbish the lavatories used by the students. This initiative demonstrates the power of collective action and the community’s commitment to improving their environment.
The success of these initiatives is also due to KMET’s focus on strengthening local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). KMET has worked with 15 CSOs in the region to enhance their capacity to perform their watchdog roles, ensuring that they can hold local governments accountable and advocate for the needs of their communities. These CSOs are now better equipped to monitor government actions, ensuring that projects are properly implemented and resources are used effectively.
Through the Uongozi Bora Mashinani project, KMET, KCDF, and Wilde Ganzen are showing that real, lasting change is possible when communities are empowered to lead. The people of Muhoroni are no longer passive recipients of aid—they are active participants in shaping their future. From securing funding for schools to mobilizing resources for community projects, this partnership has ignited a movement of self-reliance and accountability that will continue to transform the lives of Muhoroni’s residents for years to come.
