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<strong>Hakijamii</strong> Trust<br />

Golfcourse Commercial Centre<br />

Kenyatta Market, Nairobi<br />

P O Box 11356, 00100 Nairobi<br />

Tel: +254 (0) 20 2731667<br />

Fax: +254 (0)20 2726023<br />

Email: esrc@hakijamii.com<br />

Web: www.hakijamii.org/kenya<br />

Concern Worldwide<br />

Kalson Towers<br />

5th Floor, Parklands<br />

P.O. Box 13850-00800 Nairobi<br />

Tel: +254 (0) 20 3755051-5<br />

Fax: +254 (0)20 3755056<br />

Email: nairobi.admin@concern.net<br />

Cordaid<br />

P O Box 16440<br />

2500BK The Hague<br />

The Netherlands<br />

Lutherse Burgwal 10<br />

2515 CD The Hague<br />

Tel: +31703136300<br />

This booklet has been printed with support from Concern Worldwide and Cordaid


1<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong><br />

<strong>2010</strong>/<strong>2011</strong><br />

Priorities for Action in<br />

Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements<br />

25th May <strong>2010</strong><br />

Ufungamano House, Nairobi<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


2<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


3<br />

ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS<br />

ARV Antiretroviral<br />

CBO Community-Based Organization<br />

CDF Constituency Development Fund<br />

FGM Female Genital Mutilation<br />

FPE Free Primary Education<br />

g<br />

gram<br />

GDP Gross Domestic Product<br />

KEBS Kenya Bureau of Standards<br />

kg kilogram<br />

KICOMI Kisumu Cotton Mills<br />

Kshs Kenya Shillings<br />

LASDAP Local Authority Service Delivery Action Plan<br />

ltr litre<br />

ml millilitre<br />

MP Member of Parliament<br />

NCPB National Cereals and Produce Board<br />

NGO Non-Governmental Organization<br />

NPSN Nairobi People’s Settlements Network<br />

PLWHA People Living with HIV/AIDS<br />

/= Shilling<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


4<br />

1.0 INTRODUCTION<br />

Last year, on the 21 st day of May 2009, we presented our third People’s <strong>Budget</strong>. We<br />

were very specific on what we expected the government to prioritize. We appreciate<br />

the efforts made by the government, especially, the decision to withdraw the fuel<br />

guzzlers that were being used by the Ministers and other top government officials<br />

and to introduce small engine cars (Volkswagen Passat). The savings the government<br />

has made must be put into projects that target the grassroot communities.<br />

Another positive move by the government is in the area of allocation of resources<br />

to build schools in each constituency. However, our specific proposal on this was<br />

for the government to build schools in specified settlements to cater for the needs of<br />

children from urban informal settlements. This demand has not yet been fulfilled and<br />

we will give it first priority this year.<br />

The year <strong>2010</strong>, has presented us with another wonderful opportunity in the way<br />

of the proposed constitution, which has articulated a lot of progressive chapters<br />

and clauses on the Bill of Rights. Our clarion call as members of Nairobi People’s<br />

settlements Network and Kutoka Network in partnership with Muungano Wa<br />

Wanavijiji and Kisumu Social Rights, is that the time to realize this change is now,<br />

and we must all come out in large numbers to vote for the proposed constitution.<br />

This is the only chance we have as a generation to decide the nature and type of<br />

constitution that we want for our children and future generations.<br />

We, the voters, must help right the wrong we have lived with for over 45 years;<br />

as this will guarantee us a say in how resources at the lowest level are raised and<br />

used. It is only through our own efforts that we shall be able to institute changes that<br />

will improve our lives and those of our children, our grandchildren and even great<br />

grandchildren.<br />

This year we are putting the government on notice. We shall join forces with all<br />

like- minded individuals and institutions nationally, to ensure that these proposals<br />

are not left out at resource allocation level. We will strive to make sure that the<br />

resources are actually availed by the responsible ministry.<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong><br />

Theme:<br />

KATIBA NI HAKI YETU<br />

ELIMU NI HAKI YA KIMSINGI<br />

“TUNADAI KATIBA”


5<br />

2.0 OUR KEY PRINCIPLES<br />

The primary responsibility of the government is to respect, protect, promote and<br />

fulfill all human rights of its citizens. To achieve this, government must do a number<br />

of things. These include, enacting of appropriate laws and policies. But above all, it<br />

must provide money and other resources to address the basic needs of its citizens.<br />

A government’s commitment and priorities to fulfill human rights is determined<br />

by how it allocates its resources (national budget). It does not matter how good a<br />

constitution or laws are. Resources must be provided by the government to make<br />

things happen. Every government avails resources through its annual budget. That<br />

is why the national budget is very important to us and should be very important to<br />

all the citizens.<br />

It is through the budget that we can tell which areas are most valued by the<br />

government, whose needs are most considered, who it rewards most and who it<br />

does not. It is through the budget that we shall know whether residents of Mathare<br />

or Lavington will or will not get a road, a hospital, water or electricity. It is through<br />

the budget that we shall know whether or not the children of Korogocho will attend<br />

good schools and it is through the budget that we shall tell whether or not the people<br />

of Viwandani will have access to clean water. Only through the budget will we know<br />

whether or not the people of Raila Village will be able to access basic services, and<br />

whether the children of Mathare will die of cholera. In summary, the budget that the<br />

government reads determines who will live in dignity and who will not.<br />

We believe, therefore, that the budget is the most effective tool of improving our<br />

standards of living; so that we will no longer be worried about where our next meal<br />

will come from, whether we will have access to sanitation facilities and where the<br />

children will go to school. That is why we are here today, as we had promised last<br />

year, at the same venue. And that is why we shall be here again next year. We have<br />

a right and an important role to play in the key decisions on the budget process. A<br />

budget can only be good if the process is good. No process is more crucial in our<br />

lives than budget formulation, implementation and monitoring.<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


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2.1 The Key Principles<br />

This budget is based on the following key principles:<br />

1. That each human being, by virtue of being human, is a holder of rights.<br />

The government has the obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfill<br />

all these rights. Therefore, the budget must be an instrument for the<br />

progressive allocation of resources towards the protection and fulfillment<br />

of these rights.<br />

2. That the national budget has to substantially cater for and give priority to the<br />

urgent needs of the majority, based on the principles of non-discrimination<br />

and equality.<br />

3. That people have a role to play in the budget process. They have to play an<br />

active role in the budget formulation, implementation and monitoring.<br />

4. That we subscribe to the principles of transparency, accountability and<br />

zero-tolerance to corruption in the management of national and public<br />

affairs, and resources. We believe that to end the culture of corruption and<br />

impunity, we must start the fight from the top. This does not mean that we<br />

will spare the corrupt at lower levels.<br />

5. That levels of spending by the government must be adequate to improve<br />

services to poor communities and stimulate overall economic growth for<br />

the majority of the population, especially women, youth, the disabled and<br />

the elderly.<br />

6. That national planning and budgeting should be managed to make the<br />

formal and informal economy more inclusive, on the one hand by giving<br />

the poor greater access to resources, skills and other services, and on the<br />

other by guiding the economy towards growth, universal wealth creation<br />

and sustainable employment-creating activities.<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


7<br />

3.0 SPECIFIC PROPOSALS<br />

3.1 Revenue<br />

We recommend:<br />

• That the recommendations of the Ndung’u Commission on irregularly<br />

allocated public land alongside other commissions’ recommendations i.e.,<br />

Kriegler and the Waki Commissions, be implemented without any further<br />

delay.<br />

• That top government officials take pay cuts. It has become apparently clear<br />

that the President of Kenya is among the highest paid in the world. However,<br />

this kind of package is not commensurate with the GDP of the country.<br />

Therefore, His Excellency Hon. Mwai Kibaki should lead by example by<br />

reducing his remuneration by 20-30% followed by the Prime Minister, Vice<br />

President, Ministers and all Members of Parliament (MPs).<br />

• That all Kenyans pay taxes. In our last budget we proposed introduction<br />

of taxation for constitutional offices (i.e. MPs and judges). We emphasize<br />

the same and further recommend the immediate enactment of legislation<br />

to specifically provide for the taxation of all Members of Parliament and<br />

judges.<br />

• That the Government take immediate steps to recover all monies obtained<br />

through corruption and those involved be held accountable and face the full<br />

force of the law.<br />

• That all records of vehicles returned by various ministers and their current<br />

values be made public before being auctioned and that the proceeds realized<br />

from the sales be used to finance building of schools in the urban people’s<br />

settlements.<br />

• That the proposed taxation on idle land or undeveloped land be implemented<br />

forthwith.<br />

3.2 Taxation<br />

We propose the following:<br />

• Price control for basic services be introduced and strictly implemented if the<br />

ordinary mwananchi is to survive and, at least, vote in the referendum and<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


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The prices of basic essential commodities need to be controlled for the poor’s sake<br />

2012 General Elections. The prices of essential commodities produced and<br />

manufactured within the country should be reduced as listed below:<br />

1. Flour 40/= per 2 kg<br />

2. Bread 20/= per 500 g<br />

3. Milk 16/= per 500 ml<br />

4 Sugar 30/= per kg<br />

5. Cooking oil 45/= per ltr<br />

6. Rice 45/= per kg<br />

7. Paraffin 25/= per ltr<br />

8. Petrol 52/= per ltr<br />

9. Salt 10/= per kg<br />

10. Tea leaves 10/= per 50 g<br />

11. Match box 1/= per box of 45 sticks<br />

• That the government speed up with the process of taxation of Members of<br />

Parliament.<br />

• That physically challenged persons be trained on vocational skills and<br />

receive funding to start small businesses.<br />

• That resources be set aside for revamping of collapsed industries such<br />

as KICOMI and Miwani Sugar Company, for the purpose of creating<br />

employment opportunities.<br />

• That opportunities for local investment and entrepreneurship be increased<br />

through provision of low interest loans and subsidies.<br />

• That the government enforces the Employment Act so that employers stop<br />

abuse of casual workers.<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


9<br />

3.3 Land and housing<br />

We recommend:<br />

• That the Ministry of Housing in partnership with the community, private<br />

sector and other non-state actors conduct an audit of the quality and standards<br />

of houses at the decanting site since there are houses which already have<br />

cracks on the walls and the floors, an indication that building standards and<br />

quality were compromised.<br />

• That the Ministry of Finance increase allocations to expand slum-upgrading<br />

programs and to facilitate access to credit and finance for livelihood of<br />

housing improvement by low-income groups and for government to adapt<br />

community contracting, procurement and labour-intensive implementation<br />

methods by engaging more community members in housing and upgrading<br />

projects.<br />

• That the Ministry of Housing liaise with other relevant ministries (e.g. Local<br />

Government) to acquire land with security of tenure for developing human<br />

settlements, especially in the people’’s settlement and to ensure that all<br />

genuine residents benefit from the initiative.<br />

• That at least 12% of government revenue be allocated to development of low<br />

cost housing in the people’s settlement across Kenya every year, and that rent<br />

restriction in these settlements be put in place. We recommend that a house<br />

of 10x10 feet, iron sheet roofed and plastered with water and sanitation and<br />

electricity services be charged at the rate of Kshs. 500 per month.<br />

• That the Ministry of Housing make public all the names of people currently<br />

residing in the decanting site for Kibera Soweto residents to verify genuine<br />

tenants since there are cases of alleged corruption both from the ministry and<br />

community leaders.<br />

• That the government set aside funds to purchase land for the settlement of<br />

the people in the following areas: Lenana (Dagorreti), Mukuru Kayaba and<br />

Lunga Lunga (Makadara), Mukuru kwa Reuben and Mukuru Kwa Njenga,<br />

Maili Saba/Mwengenya, Jada/Kanguruwe and Kwa Mola all in Embakasi.<br />

Money from the same kit should be used to process and issue title deeds<br />

to communities in the following settlements: Kibagare, Dam, Kaptagat,<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


10<br />

NITD, Kangemi, Kitusuru (Westlands); Kibera and Mitumba (Lang’ata);<br />

Korogocho (Kasarani), Kosovo, Muoroto, Mathare 3C, Mashimoni, Thayu<br />

and all IDP camps. All these settlements are on public land and there is no<br />

reason why the residents should continue staying there without security of<br />

tenure.<br />

3.4 Water and sanitation<br />

This year, <strong>2010</strong>/<strong>2011</strong>, in addition to last year’s proposals, we are further<br />

recommending the following:<br />

• That dumping sites be demarcated and allocated in the people’s settlements<br />

by the city council and garbage trucks assigned to collect garbage.<br />

• That proper drainage be constructed for draining storm and waste water thus<br />

reducing the risk of contracting malaria, bilharzia, and other diseases caused<br />

by stagnant and/or dirty water.<br />

• That the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Informal Settlement<br />

Department institutionalize and implement more stringent control over<br />

the prices at the water kiosks in the settlements. We are aware that the<br />

recommended price is Kshs 2 for every 20 litres. However, most residents in<br />

the settlements pay much more.<br />

• That regarding the social connection policy, we propose that in addition to<br />

the funds set aside by the water company, which will provide a subsidy<br />

for connections for the people in the settlements; that the policy includes a<br />

provision for a staggered payment schedule. This will cater for those who<br />

may not be able to raise the money at once.<br />

• That the service provider put in place mechanisms to ensure provision of<br />

minimum amounts of free water of 20 litres per day per person.<br />

• That boreholes in Dagoretti be upgraded and more constructed to deal with<br />

water shortages in the following places: Ng’ando village, Riruta – village<br />

and Lenana-Mtego village.<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


11<br />

3.5 Health<br />

We want to reiterate our proposals for the year 2009/<strong>2010</strong> which were not<br />

given priority by the government. We still expect that the government will take<br />

responsibility and recommend:<br />

• That government provide comprehensive support to people living with HIV/<br />

AIDS (PLWHAs) and provide level two ARVs which should be extended<br />

to the rural areas. The government should also invest in nutritious foods for<br />

PLWHAs.<br />

• That the government look into the construction of well-equipped dispensaries<br />

with maternity wings in the people’s settlements to reduce the high maternal<br />

and infant mortality rate.<br />

• That sanitary towels be provided for free to school children to help retain<br />

girls in school.<br />

• That the government combat gender-based violence and finance gendersensitive<br />

awareness programs against FGM and forced circumcision for<br />

males.<br />

• That in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations<br />

(NGOs), the government conduct periodic health surveys at the household<br />

level.<br />

• That the cost of sanitary towels be reduced to Kshs 20 for 10 pieces.<br />

3.6 Infrastructure<br />

We do hereby propose that:<br />

• Fire stations be decentralized to each of Nairobi’s eight and Kisumu’s three<br />

constituencies.<br />

• Electricity be provided by the government to the people’s settlements under<br />

terms similar to the rural electrification program where the rates are not as<br />

costly.<br />

• The government construct at least one fire point equipped with modern fire<br />

fighting machines in each of the people’s settlements to combat the common<br />

fires.<br />

• The government build more railway lines to enhance sufficient transportation<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


12<br />

•<br />

by commuter trains and ease traffic in the city center.<br />

Current contracting procedures and regulations be reviewed to provide for<br />

community contracting of infrastructure works.<br />

3.7 Education<br />

We recommend that to be able to realize universal Free Primary Education (FPE),<br />

the government must consider doing the following:<br />

• Setting aside funds for the construction and equipping of primary and<br />

secondary schools in the people’s settlements. Resources should be allocated<br />

towards this and necessary support be given to teachers.<br />

• Allocating funds to expand existing public schools that serve the slum<br />

communities since the facilities in these schools are overstretched. For<br />

example, Kibera slum is only served by three public primary schools despite<br />

its large population.<br />

• Allocating resources to cater for children with special needs, such as the<br />

provision of specialized teachers, specialized equipment, learning and<br />

teaching materials as well as special diets for children with special needs.<br />

• Providing trained teachers to non-formal schools which are currently served<br />

by untrained teachers since these institutions cannot afford to pay trained<br />

teachers, thereby compromising the quality of education provided within<br />

the slums.<br />

• Introducing feeding programs in all schools in the people’s settlements.<br />

Specifically, we are therefore recommending that, beginning next financial year<br />

(<strong>2010</strong>/<strong>2011</strong>), the government should set aside funds to construct public primary<br />

schools in the following areas;<br />

• Lang’ata: at least one primary and one secondary school in each ward<br />

• Westlands: at least one public school in each ward<br />

• Kasarani: upgrade existing schools to adequate standards and construct new<br />

schools in each ward<br />

• Makadara: at least one primary and one secondary public school in each ward<br />

• Dagoretti: government to build two public schools (Ng’ndo village, Ngando<br />

ward, Mtego village Riruta ward)<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


13<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

Starehe: one secondary school to be constructed<br />

Mathare: one primary school in each ward<br />

Kamukunji: one primary and one secondary school in each ward.<br />

In Kisumu, primary schools should be built in Obunga, Manyatta A and Bandani.<br />

To enhance the quality of education, more funds should be made available to recruit<br />

teachers and buy necessary books and equipment.<br />

3.8 Security and safety<br />

Security and safety are serious problems in the informal settlements. We are<br />

recommending that each informal settlement should have a police post. Resources<br />

should be set aside to re-launch community policing with active participation of the<br />

people.<br />

The government should fund popular community-based organizations (CBOs)<br />

to spearhead community policing and embrace the Kazi kwa Vijana employment<br />

programs which should be a long-term initiative. Specifically, the government<br />

should:<br />

• Ensure that the police are better trained especially in public relations and<br />

in handling informants or witnesses who provide information to them<br />

(confidentiality).<br />

• Fast-track police reforms and initiate civic education programs on security<br />

and human rights to the police.<br />

• Ensure total protection of Kenya’s territory and its citizens to avoid invasion<br />

by neighboring countries and pirates.<br />

• Continue with the improvement of the quality housing for police officers<br />

countrywide.<br />

• Ban all vigilante groups and ensure that corrupt government officials are<br />

fired and prosecuted.<br />

• Put up security lights in volatile areas and along the streets and wards in<br />

Mathare, Kawangware, Westlands and Kasarani.<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


14<br />

3.9 Food security<br />

Kenyans continue to die during the rainy and dry seasons, which is a worrying<br />

situation. This is a clear sign of lack of strategy and preparedness by the government.<br />

Kenyans should not die of hunger or be forced to buy food at exorbitant prices. We<br />

are therefore recommending that the government:<br />

• Increase allocations for national schemes e.g. irrigation schemes and<br />

harvesting of rain water.<br />

• Increase the number of silos for food storage and increase allocation to the<br />

National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).<br />

• Put in place systems to deal with influx of products such as milk and also to<br />

deal with cases like the mass death of livestock due to drought and disease.<br />

• Regulate the use of genetically modified organisms in the country.<br />

• Invest in initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change.<br />

• Through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), improve their services to<br />

avoid poor quality products finding their way into the loacal market.<br />

• Continue with the price subsidies on basic commodities such as maize flour<br />

which had been introduced in 2009 to cater for the poor and marginalized.<br />

3.10 Environment<br />

We recommend that the government:<br />

• Facilitate creation of community dumping sites where garbage is collected<br />

regularly.<br />

• Provide appropriate equipment for trash collection e.g. face masks,<br />

gumboots, etc.<br />

• Ban use of polythene bags and re-introduce the gunny bag for garbage<br />

collection in all residential areas.<br />

• Initiate nation-wide tree planting and forestation projects.<br />

• Sensitize communities on the importance and need of sorting trash.<br />

3.11 Economic and social empowerment<br />

We recommend that the government:<br />

• Increase the sports kitty from Kshs 1 million to Kshs 5 million to encourage<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


15<br />

more youth to engage in various sporting activities, and not just football as<br />

is currently the case.<br />

• Hasten the establishment of a National Youth Council .<br />

• Introduce a fund for men to be channeled through the Ministry of Gender or<br />

Provincial Administration.<br />

• Increase the resources currently allocated to the kitty for the elderly.<br />

3.12 Way forward<br />

The National <strong>Budget</strong> tells us what the government is committed to doing, as<br />

opposed to what it says it wants to do or hopes to do. As such we consider our<br />

participation as both a right and a duty. To achieve this we are proposing the following<br />

concrete steps:<br />

1.<br />

2.<br />

3.<br />

4.<br />

5.<br />

That the government set aside funding, from next year, to facilitate community<br />

participation from the village level in the budget process. In addition, the<br />

current sector hearing process, is inadequate since their structures do not<br />

allow for genuine participation. In fact by the time the sector hearings are<br />

being held, key decisions on areas to be funded have already been made and<br />

specific projects selected. Thus the hearings are just meant to rubber-stamp<br />

the proposals.<br />

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act as well as the Local<br />

Authority Service Delivery Action Plan (LASDAP) Act be amended as a<br />

matter of priority to provide for people’s direct representation in the decisionmaking<br />

bodies.<br />

That representative Ward and Constituency <strong>Budget</strong> Committees be created<br />

to act as the vehicle for people’s participation in the budget process and<br />

open public hearing and accountability sessions be conducted in the people’s<br />

settlements six months before the budget is written.<br />

That the budget-making process and final allocation be gender-responsive.<br />

That money already allocated to development should be utilized as planned,<br />

and if allocated sums remain unspent at the end of financial year, the<br />

concerned public officials be prosecuted for economical crimes.<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


16<br />

4.0 PROPOSED LEGAL AND POLICY CHANGES<br />

We are aware that policies and legislations play a key role in complementing the<br />

budget. We therefore wish to make the following recommendations:<br />

1.<br />

2.<br />

3.<br />

4.<br />

5.<br />

6.<br />

7.<br />

8.<br />

That the adequate funds be made available to finalize the Constitution.<br />

That the budget make provision for sufficient funds for the implementation<br />

of the National Land Policy and the Eviction Guidelines. Policy and law<br />

making are primary responsibilities of every government and should be<br />

funded directly from the consolidated funds.<br />

That the budget make special provision to provide for basic education in the<br />

poor urban settlements instead of relying on broad budgetary allocation for<br />

the Ministry of Education.<br />

That adequate funds be set aside in this year’s budget for the development of<br />

a National Slum Upgrading Policy.<br />

That funds be made available to review and implement a new Rent Restriction<br />

Act to protect residents in the people’s settlements from forced evictions.<br />

That the National Health Insurance Bill be re-introduced and passed<br />

immediately to help the low-income communities.<br />

That money be made available to finance a comprehensive study to look at<br />

the possibility of introducing a national social security system that would<br />

cover all vulnerable groups including the elderly, the unemployed and<br />

people with disabilities.<br />

That funds be made available to finalize and implement a new National<br />

Housing Rights law.<br />

The budget should include special provision for basic education in the poor urban settlements<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


17<br />

5.0 CONCLUSION<br />

We will be heading to the polls once again to vote for a new constitution, yet<br />

the post-election crisis is still fresh in our minds. We know that it was an extremely<br />

challenging period for Kenya. The negative impact on the social, economic and<br />

political fabric of the nation was immense. If the current economic recovery continues<br />

Kenya will be a great nation. However, serious commitments have to be made and<br />

followed through with action. There has to be fundamental shift in how national<br />

planning and budgeting is done. This is an opportunity for the government of Kenya<br />

to prove its commitment to the people of this country in the fight against poverty<br />

by allocating resources to the sectors and areas that are more important and that not<br />

only spur economic growth, but also directly benefit the majority of the needy.<br />

The budget is a national issue and is as important as the national elections and<br />

other national events. We urge all our citizens who have been excluded from this<br />

process to now begin to get involved so that we can ensure that this exercise is not<br />

left to a few individuals who do not even understand the interests and needs of the<br />

ordinary people. We intend to extend our people’s budget committees throughout<br />

the country so that we can have a budget by the people, for the people and of the<br />

people!<br />

God Bless Kenya as we prepare to go for<br />

the referendum on the proposed constitution.<br />

A luta continua.<br />

Kibera residents shifting to the decanting site to pave way for better housing. The government should<br />

significantly increase resource allocation to sectors that directly benefit the majority of the needy<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


18<br />

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILES<br />

KUTOKA NETWORK<br />

The Kutoka Network is a voluntary gathering of Christian teams who minister<br />

to people living in the various informal settlements. The word “kutoka” is a Swahili<br />

term which originates from the biblical meaning, “the Exodus”. The network began<br />

in 2002, when priests, sisters and lay people living and working in parishes linked<br />

up and started to discuss and share the multiple issues they faced in their daily<br />

work, both challenges and achievements, in the slum environment. Together we<br />

look at the problems affecting the people in slums, with the eyes of Gospel.<br />

Our aim and objective<br />

The network aims to analyze the reality of the slums, to share experiences, to<br />

reflect together on the pastoral approach, to plan common initiatives and actions and<br />

to highlight positive aspects of the reality of the communities living in the informal<br />

settlements.<br />

Our hope<br />

We are particularly inspired by the following passages from the Bible:<br />

The spirit of the Lord is on me, for He has anointed me to bring the good news to<br />

the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let<br />

the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord.<br />

(Isaiah 61: 1-2; Luke 4: 18-19)<br />

The exodus is a common dream, and we believe that:<br />

“If you want to save someone out of sludge and muck, do not cheat yourself you<br />

can remain up there and be pleased to lower a helping hand. All the way down you<br />

must go: inside muck and sludge. There, seize the other, then with strong hands lift<br />

both of you up into the light.”<br />

Rabbi Schlomo in Martin Buber’s Tales of the Hasidim TAKE THE PLUNGE!<br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong>


19<br />

NAIROBI PEOPLE’S SETTLEMENTS NETWORK<br />

The Nairobi People’s Settlements Network (NPSN) is an initiative of community<br />

groups from various people’s settlements within Nairobi (formerly called slums).<br />

The Network was mooted in October 2005, while planning for the celebrations of<br />

December 10th, 2005 World Human Rights Day. The Network was adopted on 10th<br />

December 2005 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Korogocho during the World Human<br />

Rights Day celebrations.<br />

Our Vision<br />

A vibrant just development oriented society<br />

Aim and objectives<br />

The main aim of NPSN was and still is to bring together community groups<br />

engaged in various activities in order to improve effectiveness in the use of available<br />

resources and to encourage the bottom-up approach to planning through involvement<br />

of communities in prioritizing their needs. The Network is guided by the following<br />

objectives:<br />

• To bring together community groups within the people settlements in and<br />

outside Nairobi for the purpose of networking on various issues affecting<br />

them.<br />

• To identify and bring together partners working within people’s settlements<br />

in order to develop a holistic approach to the existing problems.<br />

• To create a forum for lobbying and advocating on matters affecting people<br />

in the settlements.<br />

• To facilitate people’s participation in identification, planning, implementation,<br />

monitoring and evaluation of projects in the settlement.<br />

Contacts:<br />

Tel: 020-2249000<br />

Mobile: 0713-816101/ 0720-858146<br />

Email: pplsnetwork@gmail.com or peoplesttlmntntwrk@yahoo.com<br />

We believe in working with all partners.<br />

Priorities for Action in Nairobi and Kisumu <strong>Peoples</strong>’ Settlements


20<br />

Pictorial<br />

The annual <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong> meeting was held on 25th May <strong>2010</strong> at Ufungamano House in<br />

Nairobi. It was the culmination of a series of build-up meetings held in different constituencies to<br />

gather opinions of people living in settlements.<br />

Preparatory budget hearings in constituencies<br />

Participants at the <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong><br />

Listening to participants at the <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong><br />

The <strong>Peoples</strong>’ <strong>Budget</strong>, <strong>2010</strong><br />

The organising committee of the event

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