Daniel Muriuki, the outgoing chairman of the Kileleshwa Ward and Neighbourhood Association (KIWANA), says the desire to transform and make Kileleshwa more sustainable started in 2018. A group of about 40 people came together after recognising serious gaps in service delivery within the ward, which covers the Kileleshwa and Muthangari sub-locations. They decided that an organisation needed to be registered, leading to the official formation of KIWANA as a society with leadership elected from the community members.
Insecurity Challenge
“Insecurity was rampant, with bodaboda riders being used to snatch mobile phones and handbags from pedestrians. Roads were filled with potholes, walkways were nonexistent, and streetlights were missing, leaving Kileleshwa in darkness,” he recollects. Additionally, high-rise developments were emerging without the consent of neighbouring residents.
KIWANA has grown into a dynamic force, enhancing security, advocating for responsible development, and uniting residents in community-led action. “There was a major gap between the community’s experiences and aspirations. So, we decided to establish a neighbourhood association to bridge this gap, improve service delivery, and create a platform where community members could connect. We discovered that many residents had lived here for years without knowing who their neighbours were,” he explains.
“Water shortages have plagued the area, with high-rise developments disrupting the once steady supply over the past two years,” says Mr Muriuki. However, he notes significant improvements in road infrastructure during the same period.
Insecurity Challenge
With nearly 1,200 members, a structured secretariat, and strong partnerships, the association is reshaping Kileleshwa into a well-planned, inclusive, and environmentally conscious neighbourhood. Thanks to the project Strengthening the Community Foundation Movement as a Basis for Sustainable Development in Kenya, implemented in a partnership between KCDF and the Mott Foundation, the association is reshaping Kileleshwa into a well-planned, inclusive, and environmentally conscious neighbourhood. The project seeks to expand the ecosystem of philanthropy support organisations in Kenya by strengthening the infrastructure of community organisations.
Grace Maingi, the Executive Director of KCDF, says the partnership between KCDF and the Mott Foundation is pivotal in empowering local communities to lead their development.
“We’ve always believed that communities should be at the heart of the development process. They are best placed to define their priorities and drive the needed solutions. Our role is to walk alongside them, not lead for them,” Ms. Maingi observes.
In an era of declining foreign aid, this collaboration encourages communities—whether defined by geography or shared concerns—to organise, mobilise, and assert agency over their futures, asserts Caesar Ngule, KCDF’s Programmes Director.
Mr. Ngule underscores the significance of flexible funding provided by the Mott Foundation. “This funding isn’t restricted to specific programmes, which allows us to support communities in attracting local funders and establishing sustainable support systems,” he explains.
This flexibility has enabled KCDF to adapt lessons learned from its founding in 1997, offering mentorship to emerging community foundations across the country. With this support, KCDF helps county, ward, and urban organisations build governance, financial systems, and leadership capacity. In this regard, KIWANA has received vital support from KCDF, which provided funding for organisational development. In 2024, KIWANA received a KES 800,000 grant, which helped KIWANA establish a formal secretariat, which had previously struggled due to limited membership contributions.
“The Mott project has built the institution of KIWANA into a structured, functional, and forward-thinking organisation,” says Violet Kinyori Mbugu, the outgoing KIWANA Secretary.
KIWANA adopted a finance manual from this support, significantly improving accountability and financial reporting. “We received training that streamlined our financial processes, procurement, accountability for service providers, and overall transparency. This has greatly enhanced our accountant’s capacity,” shares Ms. Mbugu.
Before these changes, KIWANA managed financials manually, says Ms. Mbugu, who has been with KIWANA for the past seven years.
As part of the project, Ms. Mbugu visited other community foundations partnered with KCDF, broadening her perspective and inspiring further institutional growth. A key milestone was securing a fully dedicated coordinator to handle daily operations—an essential step in ensuring KIWANA’s efficiency and sustainability.
KIWANA has formulated a development manual and formalised contracts for secretariat staff, ensuring clear operational guidelines aligned with its strategic plan. It established a member database to improve engagement and streamline records and participation. Additionally, a member’s support enabled KIWANA to secure office space, with plans to enhance visibility through signage and a fully equipped secretariat.
transparency.
Backed by KCDF and the Mott Foundation, KIWANA has strengthened community engagement, shaping a shared vision for Kileleshwa by incorporating residents’ needs into its strategic planning. KCDF’s new strategic plan reflects community feedback and a shift in development thinking, where communities set the agenda. “People now want to determine their priorities. We’ve structured our strategy to be more responsive and flexible,” Mr Ngule notes. He adds that resource limitations remain a challenge, but community clarity helps overcome donor restrictions.
Through KCDF’s participatory organisational capacity assessment, KIWANA has improved its planning and budgeting processes. “We now develop quarterly and monthly budgets, ensuring that our plans are realistic and achievable,” she explains. The committee now approves annual plans, providing accountability and
KIWANA is active in social accountability, becoming one of the first community organisations in Kenya to interview political candidates before elections, says Mr. Muriuki. “By engaging aspiring governors, senators, MPs, and MCAs, we provided residents with insights into candidates’ track records, helping them make informed choices. The organisation also seeks to identify and nurture leadership from within the community.”
KIWANA collaborates with elected leaders, including the MCA and MP, on various development projects. They work closely with the police and county offices to ensure the effective delivery of social services.
Future Plans
KIWANA is strengthening its governance committee and secretariat as part of its commitment to institutional growth. “We have developed key policies, including a human resources framework to solidify KIWANA’s foundation for the next generation,” Mr. Muriuki stated. Building a resilient secretariat that effectively serves the community while maintaining sustainability through member engagement will ensure long-term sustainability.
KIWANA has 50 registered members, yet the broader community consists of over 1,200 residents. “Membership contributions from individuals, apartment complexes, and businesses will play a key role in sustaining operations. Ultimately, our goal is to establish an endowment fund to support resident associations within Kileleshwa and across Nairobi,” Ms. Mbugu envisions.
“In Kenya and beyond, we’ve seen that organisations with endowments are better positioned to survive and lead change for decades. That’s the future we’re working toward,” emphasises Ms Maingi.
