Reflections & Feedback on Phase 1 of Koch FM Partnership

Friday, November 11^th, was the finale of the first phase of Sisi ni Amani Kenya’s successful series of morning shows on Koch FM. George and Sammy joined Doreen to recap the previous week’s discussions. The Kasarani team members—Sammy, George, Dennis, Mary and Rama— and Koch FM were acknowledged for their great work raising awareness on security, education, health, good governance and environmental issues in Baba Dogo and Korogocho. Listeners were given the opportunity to offer any final thoughts on the top issues facing their community as well as give feedback on the show.

The show this week asked subscribers what their top priority was out of the series’ five topics. The most popular response pointed to security as the most pressing issue. Nothing constructive can happen in the community if security isn’t improved, as many of the responses indicated.

Throughout the show calls flowed in to thank SNA-K for its effort promoting peace, for facilitating forums, and creating the Community Manifesto. Many even celebrated the fact that security in Baba and Koch had improved since they’d begun discussing it so openly thanks to SNA-K and Koch FM. One woman from Korogocho attested to a safer neighborhood recently and hoped the show wouldn’t go off the air for long. She wasn’t alone as other listeners also lamented the end of the program. They don’t want to lose this invaluable opportunity to have their voices heard. Luckily, SNA-K will be continuing its partnership with Koch FM over the next several months.

SNA-K and Koch FM will continue partnering to promote peace and civic education through ongoing inspirational peace quotes, sent by SMS and also aired on Koch FM, and through a Holidays Civic Education Challenge, through which listeners will be quizzed on the new Constitution and will have the opportunity to win small prizes if they answer correctly. The hiatus will be used for the Kasarani chapter to identify leaders in each of the prioritized fields. These leaders will be invited onto the radio show to address the issues Baba and Koch residents face when the program returns in January.

 

 

 

 

Mulot & Ololulunga Hold Joint Forum on Double Leasing (by Jackie)

Sisi Ni Amani  Kenya, Narok Chapter, held the first of its series of community sensitization meetings. These meeting / public forums are open to all members of the public and are aimed at creating awareness on the various issues that affect the people of Narok. (Double-leasing which is when the landowner leases the land to two different people and thus creates a conflict in which the two lessees often escalate to violence.)

On 29^th October, 2011, SNA-K’s Narok Chapter team led by Jackson Saruni held a public meeting at Kibilat, on the border of Mulot and Ololulunga divisions. This meeting was aimed at sensitizing the community on the issue of double leasing which is a common problem in this area and a source of tensions and at times violent confrontations between the different ethnic communities that reside in this area.

We had an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya present at the meeting to give a legal perspective to the issue of double leasing. More importantly, he informed, educated and answered the questions of the people present on various aspects of Sale of Land Agreements and Land Lease Agreements. Alex, the Advocate, took the public through what is required of a good lease and land sale agreements and what to look out for when getting into such agreements. He explained the legal and procedural requirements for both documents.

It is our hope and belief that through these public meetings and forums, wananchi (citizens) will be more alert and knowledgeable on double leasing and in turn this will reduce the number of violent confrontations and tensions that are caused by this problem. Also, we hope that those that engage in this illegal practice out of not knowing will change and conduct land deals in a legal manner.

The Chiefs, Pastors, District Peace Committee members and the People of the area that attended the public forum applauded SNA- K for the program, going so far as to call Chapter leadership to express their appreciation of the forum. We have been invited to hold similar forums in other parts of Narok South District and to continue supporting the existing mechanisms to foster peace among people of different ethnic backgrounds.

We would like to especially thank Saina Sena & Company Advocates for their time and legal expertise and we look forward to working with them in our objective of searching for community-based approaches to resolving conflicts and tension. Also, this forum would not have been possible without the help and dedication of our Chapter members in particular, Pastor Wilson Musonik, Ntutu, Nickson Kamoye and Jackson Saruni, put in the hard work to make this possible.

Photos coming soon!!!

 

You Can Now Read SNA-K’s Report on Kamukunji Programming!

We are excited to share with you SNA-K’s report on its Kamukunji programming from April – August, 2011. The programming was funded by USAID-OTI’s Kenya Transparency Initiative (KTI). Read the report here: SNA-K Kamukunji Programming Report. Note that full names have been blanked out to maintain personal privacy.

SNA-K Kasarani Tackles Issues of Good Governance with Koch FM (by Aly)

Accountability, democracy, and equality—these are just some of the desires residents of the Kasarani communities of Baba Dogo and Korogocho expressed this week. They were responding to Sisi ni Amani’s question about the priority of good governance in their communities. This Thursday, morning listeners from across the Kasarani communities tuned in to hear their answers explored on Koch FM.

Sammy & Dennis, Kasarani Chapter Leaders, Discuss Governance on Koch FM

Chapter leaders Sammy and Dennis, with Koch FM host Doreen, explored the issue of good governance andways to guarantee it’s carried out. Community members responded with their frustrations, claiming corrupt leaders prevent basic services from reaching their neighborhoods. “If we do away with corrupt leaders then development will come…” claims one resident. Another even calls selfish leaders and nepotism “a cancer for any development.” Most responses pointed to good governance as a way to improve the quality of life in Kasarani. Yet, other community members were adamant that the improvements must start on a personal level.

Sammy and Dennis took an approach that combined both these perspectives. The government needs to be responsible and the way to make that happen starts on an individual citizen level. The two encouraged citizens to know their rights and demand efficiency from their leaders. Accountability in government starts with civic responsibility.

Listen next Thursday at 9 AM as we move forward to address questions about environment!

Kasarani Chapter Stimulates Discussion of Education System (by Aly)

This Thursday morning, the Kasarani Chapter, together with Koch FM, continued the community dialogue on current issues facing Baba Dogo and Korogocho. This week’s topic was education. Many families in these communities struggle to provide their youth with adequate education and frustrations often rise as education is not made a priority. This week, an SMS was sent to community subscribers asking the following questions:

1. Is education a top issue? Why or why not?

2. What is number one priority in education: enrollment, quality of education, number of schools, quality of teachers, or number of students?

The team received over 90 responses from eager community members. Rama, one of the team leaders, discussed them on air with Koch FM’s veteran host, Doreen. After introducing the SNA-K mission and unique methods to new listeners, they dove into discussion of the on-the-ground issues with education.

There are over thirty informal schools but only two government schools in all of Koch. Most schools are faced with staffing shortages as well as unprofessionalism, especially in the informal schools. Inadequate education leads to large numbers of drop outs, causing problems like community ignorance, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and crime.

Many responses from the Kasarani SMS subscribers were read on the air. Laments over the lack of equal opportunities for education in the slums, cries for more involvement from the community, and demands that the government make education a top priority were among the replies.

Rama and Doreen reached out to three especially concerned citizens who had sent in SMS. They complained about the excessive school fees and the unfair distribution of government education funds. They made suggestions to educate the community on the importance of education for the youth.

As one subscriber put it, “education liberates passion to think outside the box.” This passion is necessary for the community to voice its opinions and have its needs met.

Stay tuned as we continue to hear from the Kasarani community!

Narok plans community forums on Tribalism & Land

Narok team meets to plan forums on tribalism & land

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Narok chapter leaders came together this past week to plan two upcoming community forums on the pressing issues of Tribalism and Land. The Narok Town representatives discussed the most important aspects of Tribalism that plan to discuss and proposed experts on these topics to invite. They brought up issues of hate speech and rumors and how communities can understand the impact of these issues and prevent them from escalating into tensions and violence.

Chapter leaders from Ololulunga and Mulot plan forum on land

The representatives from Mulot and Ololulunga, bordering areas outside of town, discussed what they want to focus on in terms of issues with Land. They focused on the issue of double-leasing which is when the landowner leases the land to two different people and thus creates a conflict in which the two lessees often escalate to violence. Double leasing is a major concern in the area, because conflict between members of two ethnic communities over a lease can often escalate to rumors and violence between groups. The Narok Chapter will bring two lawyers, representing two ethnic communities, to speak at this forum to educate the community on the legal aspects of leasing, and what to look out for in terms of contracts and making sure new land is not already being leased. The aim is to empower the community to understand how to prevent and deal with double leasing of land and to give alternative methods other than violence with which the community can legally manage disputes.

The meeting was a productive step towards setting up these forums, and the Narok Chapter is excited to see the turnout and response.

 

Korogocho & Baba Dogo Team Begins Unique Partnership with Koch FM

SNA-K’s Kasarani Team successfully launched its newest project in partnership with the community radio station Koch FM this Thursday!

This exciting new partnership builds off of the community forums that SNA-K Kasarani Chapter has held in Baba & Koch to create a Community Manifesto. The goal of the Community Manifesto is to assess the needs of the community in a participatory that enables any community member to participate with their opinions. The Manifesto is intended to bring the community together across ethinc communities to identify shared needs, work together to improve their community, and advocate for policy-based foundation of politics.

The initial forums enabled our local chapter to identify a baseline of community needs as described by representative community leaders.

Kasarani Team members make final edits to the SMS survey. (Photo taken in Korogocho)

Now, through a partnership with Koch FM and an SMS-based survey, the Kasarani Team will bring the rest of the community on board through radio discussion and opportunities to voice opinions through SMS. This new information will be incorporated into a final Community Manifesto document that will be reviewed by community leaders and presented to political aspirants.

This is how it works:

1. Sammy & Mary, two of the chapter leaders, kicked it off on Thursday by going on air at KochFM to explain Sisi Ni Amani’s work, goals, progress, and the community manifesto idea. They called for listeners to subscribe to SNA-K by texting the designated number.
2. All subscribers will now be texted two survey questions each week to respond to by text. Each week will have a different theme: Security, [Theme] [theme] [theme]
3. Every Thursday, Koch FM will designate one hour of its morning programming, from 9am-10am, with presenter Doreen to discuss the issue of the week and the responses that have been received. There will also be ample opportunity for listeners to call in and discuss.
4. As an incentive, SNA-K and Koch FM will pick two to three people who responded to the survey to be called back and get the opportunity to talk about their opinions on air.
5. At the end of the month, the Team will compile the answers into a Community Manifesto that will be reviewed by community leaders and presented to political aspirants and media.

This week’s questions are:

Many community members said that security is the numba 1 issue in Baba & Koch. Do u Agree or Not? Pls Explain. Ur coments wil b included in community manifesto!

Second question is: Which of the following will increase security in your area? 1.Street Lighting 2. Police Patrols 24 hrs 3. Community Policing

SNA-K Kasarani Team member Sammy talks with Koch FM presenter Doreen

This partnership demonstrates the innovative ways that SNA-K can move forward in connecting with existing community groups and building off all the existing ways community members already communicate. KochFM was the first community radio station in the slums of Nairobi, and has a loyal following from its community. A big thanks to Koch FM for their wonderful partnership in this endeavor.

Stay tuned to find out how Koch & Baba subscribers respond to the survey!

 

Kamukunji Volunteers plan their next steps forward

After the success of the by-election programming, in which SNA-K sent civic education, voter education, and peace messages leading up to the election, and also collected questions from subscribers to bring to the political debate, the SNA-K Kamukunji community volunteers got together this week to start planning how they want to move forward.

Since the projects will take some time to plan and implement, the group first decided on what messages they will send over the next month to subscribers in order to keep in touch. The community volunteers had previously come up with about 50 civic education messages related to various civic education themes, including the Community Development Funds (CDF), in which subscribers had expressed particular interest. In this meeting, the group identified four important messages on CDF. They will send one each week of the month. After careful discussion, message-editing (to make sure the characters of the message fit within the SMS limit and were in locally appropriate language), and translation into Swahili, the group picked four messages. The selected four messages are:

1^st message: Intro

Lets participate in management of CDF. CDF includes funds for projects, bursary, emergency, capacity building, administration, sports, maintenance & environment

Tujihusishe kwa mipango ya CDF. CDF ni pesa za miradi, bursary, hatua za darura, ujenzi wa jamii, michezo, ukarabati na mazingira.

2^nd SMS: Education

Bursary funds are 4 education 4 needy children. Govt provides Ksh 1000 per pupil per year 4 free primary education. You dont have to pay for bursary application

Pesa za bursary ni za elimu kwa watato masikini. Serikali imetengea kila mtoto Ksh1000 kila mwaka kwa free primary education. Huhitaji kulipa kwa maombi ya bursary.

3^rd SMS: Youth

Mayouth tuchukue hatua, Youth Fund is our right! The Youth Fund is to reduce unemployment and idleness of youth. Youth fund is 4 every youth. Team up & go 4 it!

Mayouth tuchukue hatua. Youth Fund ni haki yetu! Inapunguza ukosefu wa kazi na kukaa bure mtaani. Youth Fund ni kwa kila youth. Jungeni pamoja na mjitokeze!

 

4^th SMS

Its not a favor from your elected leader. Its your right to benefit from CDF Funds. Lets work together to make sure the whole community benefits from ALL funds. (160)

Ni haki yako kufaidika na pesa za CDF, sio mapendeleo kutoka kwa kiongozi tuliemchagua. Tufanya kazi pamoja ili jamii yote ifaidike na hazina ZOTE!

Next, the volunteers moved on to discuss their proposals for how to move forward with SNA-K in Kamukunji. The group had a variety of ideas, requiring types kinds of funding. The group came up with suggestions that could be done with very little funding as well as larger events that would create name recognition and trust within the community but would require greater funding and could be included in larger proposals. One exciting idea that was prioritized was to design a peace curriculum and train volunteers to bring it into the high schools. The volunteers noted that high school students, especially those about to graduate, represent a population that may soon be idle and easily used for violence and intimidation. Other ideas included spreading the message about SNA-K through videos in matatus, and creating community-level dialogue about peace through street theatre.

This meeting assessed the level of commitment and thought that the volunteers had to continue SNA-K, and a second meeting will facilitate a more in-depth analysis of the role of Kamukunji in conflict and communication dynamics within Nairobi, and will then revisit these ideas to prioritize them and add new ideas. The Kamukunji team members understand that the funding is now over, but are excited to find ways to continue with the remaining messages and low-cost activities.

SNA-K Enters Ashoka Changemakers Competition – Tell us what you think!

SNA-K has entered Ashoka’s Changemakers competition for citizen media. View our profile here and use the comments feature to let us know what you think!

SNA-K is Featured in Nextbillion Article on Marketing Peace

SNA-K has been featured in an article on Nextbillion. The article explores SNA-K’s approach to peace promotion through a marketing lens, discussing the concept of marketing peace. Read the article here.