Uniting for Impact: Building Partnerships with Communities and Stakeholders

Change is a gradual process, often driven by active community involvement in advocacy, inclusive decision-making, and governance. By participating in activities such as budget planning, monitoring public service delivery, and auditing implementation processes, citizens can foster accountability and transparency among public officers and political leaders. When communities take the initiative to oversee public service delivery and financial management, they encourage leaders at both county and national levels to provide timely and quality services.

Health Rights Advocacy Forum (HERAF), a non-governmental organization focused on transforming health systems through strengthened voice and accountability, identified challenges within the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) network in Masinga and Yatta sub-counties, Machakos County. Over the years of project implementation, the lack of active Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) has limited the effectiveness of advocacy and oversight efforts in these areas. Mapping exercises revealed that while self-help groups, women’s groups, and youth groups were active, no formal CBOs were operational.

To address this gap, HERAF trained leaders of these groups on the Public Benefits Organizations (PBO) Act and County Governments Relations (CGR) Act. The goal was to integrate these smaller groups into structured CBOs at the ward level and connect them to the Machakos County CSO Network (MCCN). This integration aims to enhance community oversight, monitor service delivery, and strengthen engagement with stakeholders in Machakos County.

By supporting the formation and integration of CBOs under the MCCN umbrella, HERAF has facilitated collaboration among CSOs, CBOs, and NGOs. This partnership will boost visibility for community groups advocating for their rights and priorities while fostering social enterprises to address local challenges.

The non-state framework promotes effective information sharing, as the network operates at the sub-county level, with representatives from each village. Members benefit from opportunities to benchmark, participate in training sessions, and build capacity in areas such as budget audits, fundraising, and resource mobilization. This structured approach empowers communities to drive sustainable change and ensure their voices are heard in governance and decision-making processes.