We discussed the evaluation of Embakasi South NGCDF money on 23/07/2024. Yesterday we had a continuation of the same discussion and how the people have had social media discussions about Embakasi South NGCDF. In attendance at the MuYI hub coffee bar, we had 30 participants of whom 2 were females. We discussed how people have recently been posting posters on their social media platforms about the change they need and accountability on the funds allocated for the Embakasi South constituency.

Most of the people posting on their pages about the change they need in our constituency are getting backlash from goons who have been pushing bad agendas and forcing them up in people’s throats. They get insults in return since most of the goons don’t have facts to support what they are talking about. Some people lack civic information on the roles of the MP some assume that our MP is never involved In NGCDF. They have not read the auditor general’s report and hence do not know what is contained in it despite people posting the link to the auditor general’s report.

Youth’s perception when asked if we have leaders in Embakasi South

We do not have leaders –since they don’t practice their leadership skills efficiently we have garbage everywhere mostly on our tarmacked roads. Our MCA found Mukuru kwa Ruben developed the roads were newly built, and drainages and street lights had been installed yet they cannot push the right buttons for the garbage to be collected and roads to stay clean.

We have leaders but they do not take responsibility for the work they have been assigned to.

We have leaders who only take money and are very selfish, they are there for the money and leave other people in charge of their offices.

“We have leaders but they are not accountable for their jobs, we take accountability since we choose them to represent us even after they failed in their first terms Take an example with our MP who was chosen for the second time and yet nothing had been developed while in his first term, we only had bursaries being distributed and not equally since they are normally issued during the night. We should not be lied to (watoto wasome)”one participant said.

We have a big role as youths to educate our parents on what the roles of our leaders are. They should not vote for bad leaders/non-competent leaders since our MP never listens to the cry of his constitution he only waits for his term to end and then goes missing.

We do not get that chance to see our MP since he only comes to the people when issuing bursaries. He never came to the people who elected him he did not even come when people’s houses were being demolished when people needed him.

We should all take a voter’s card and stop complaining yet we did not vote, we should make sure to vote during the next election, and we should wake up early and make the change that we want and need.

Most goons are feeding people with lies and cannot read a small, noncomplex report they also don’t know the next leaders that we are going to get and that we truly need.

We do not have good leaders since they are causing harm to our future, the system is rigged it’s full of liars.

We have leadership but the problem is that we as the people are greedy and poor. We want accountability but since we do not ask for NMS project had a good track record since they were smart they did small development which was helpful to the community hence when people are asked to choose between NG-CDF and NMS they will choose NMS over NG-CDF. If we say we want good roads what do we mean- we want funds that are working for emergencies such as fire if the roads are proper they will be good access to areas that are on fire by the fire brigades. Good roads will also contribute to the development of business which will generate revenue.

Even though it’s hard to educate our parents we still need to educate them and make them know the importance of choosing good leaders. Our president has had a good chance of dealing with the recent protests such as changing the constitution

In times of arguing with counter-attacks from goons online, we should make sure to argue with facts rather than using abusive language while dealing with them. We should also familiarize ourselves with bills in Kenya, the constitution, and laws in Kenya. We should use positive tactics.

The leaders in Embakasi South have been using tribe to determine the number of voters one can get from their tribe and the NMS Project was given to a specific tribe.

We cannot argue that it’s tribalism that affects our leaders rather should argue with choosing the best of the best leaders since the case of Isiolo where the county government spent 1 million on sodas, yet it is one of their own whom the people elected.

Most of the old people in our constituency are usually involved in elections and choosing the leaders for us. The youths should make sure to be part of the decision-making process.

Bursaries have blinded most people into thinking it’s the only thing the MP should work on yet its allocation is only 35% where is the 65% directed to?

Religion has been used to lie to people since most youths don’t attend churches whenever the pastors say to the congregation that they feel like a certain leader is right since they have contributed huge amounts of money to their fundraiser the congregation agrees and choose bad leaders just because.

We should not only wait for the youths to notice that the country is in a bad position!

We as the youths need to make sure the protest for change does not necessarily end just because we are tired it needs to also emerge when we are nearing our next election. If we are not vocal enough the old people will be convinced to vote for the fake leaders even though it’s not easy we should come together to seek accountability from all the leaders.

MuYI will take the responsibility of calling the ward admin and communicating with the MCA of Kwa Ruben on the removal of garbage on the street. The roads have gotten potholes due to poor maintenance; garbage that has been piled on the roads has not been collected for a long time and it’s time for us as youths to clean up Mukuru kwa Ruben roads.

Conclusion

We should condemn Goon-Z’s bad actions by showing them what needs to be done in our constitution. We should also be vocal in making sure that The NG-CDF money discussion in Embakasi South brings to light the urgent need for institutional adjustments to guarantee the fund fulfills its intended purpose.

During our coffee bar at the MuYI hub we had 34 participants,5 were females and 29 males. We discussed about the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) which  was established to facilitate the implementation of development projects at the grassroots level, ensuring that the needs of local communities are adequately met. This report provides an overview of how the NG-CDF money has been utilized in Embakasi South, highlighting key projects, their impact, and any challenges faced during implementation.

The NG-CDF funds were disbursed to support various development projects in education, health, infrastructure, security, and social services. Embakasi South, like many other constituencies, relies heavily on the NG-CDF for infrastructure development, educational improvements, and community welfare projects.

Additional grants and transfers are shown in the statement of receipts and payments to the financial statements. This overstates the spending since there was a double payment of rent, resulting in the related check being posted twice, included in the emergency project expenses, which also includes rent incorrectly. It was not possible to verify the authenticity and completeness of the Kshs. 6, 035,859 emergency project balance.

Transfers to Other Government Units: The financial statements show Kshs. 32,023,982 in transfers to primary schools, but the year’s budget execution by sectors and projects shows Kshs. 35,593,982 in total transfers. An analysis of the data showed that Kshs. 6,995,000 was paid to a contractor from the Kshs. 32,023,982 transferred to primary schools, and Kshs. 7,838,708 was paid to two (2) contractors from the total amount of Kshs. 80,616,219 transferred to secondary schools. Nevertheless, the audit was not given access to the specifics of the corresponding supply.

Additional Grants and Transfers are shown in the statement of receipts and payments to the financial statements. Bursaries for secondary and tertiary education totaling Kshs40, 739,381 and Kshs. 15,642,500, respectively, are included. Section 48 of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Act, 2015 states that the funding of social security programs and education bursary schemes shall be considered as development projects for the Act, provided that such projects shall not be allocated more than thirty-five percent of the total funds allocated for the Constituency in any financial year. The total amount represents 38% of the total transfers from the NG-CDF Board, which is 3% above the allowable limit of 35%.

The analysis that was submitted to support the Kshs. 15, 642,500 for the bursary-tertiary institutions came to Kshs. 14, 970,000, leaving a Kshs. 672, 500 payment that was issued without justification or support. Under the given conditions, it was not possible to verify the completeness and accuracy of the financial statements balances about the use of goods and services, payments to elementary and secondary schools, and other grants and transfers.

The reconciliation statement for cash and cash equivalents showed payments of Kshs. 21, 308,448 in the cash book that were not shown in the bank statement. The status of the stale checks and the proof of when the checks were cleared were not supplied by management. Furthermore, the cash book posts were made in pencil, which gave them a transient quality and left them open to illegal changes. In addition, a number of overwritings and cancelations were made without the requisite signature of the officer inspecting the cash book or making the repairs. It was not possible to verify the accuracy and completeness of the Kshs. 15, 847,490 cash and cash equivalents balance under the given conditions.

The youths expressed frustration and disappointment over the misuse of NG-CDF funds. They demanded greater transparency and accountability, calling for stricter oversight mechanisms.

• Conduct regular and independent audits of NG-CDF projects to ensure funds are used appropriately.
• Make all financial reports and project plans publicly accessible to foster transparency.
• Engage community members in the planning and decision-making processes to ensure projects meet local needs.
• Establish robust feedback systems for the community to report concerns and suggestions.
• Advocate for laws that mandate severe penalties for misappropriation of public funds.
• Develop and implement tools for effective monitoring and evaluation of NG-CDF projects.

Conclusion

The discussion on NG-CDF money in Embakasi South highlights a critical need for systemic changes to ensure the fund achieves its intended purpose. By enhancing transparency, involving the community, and enforcing legal reforms, the integrity of NG-CDF can be restored, ensuring that the funds contribute to genuine development and improvement of living standards in Embakasi South.

Kenya has had several protests in recent years motivated by social, political, and economic grievances. We discussed the MuYI hub to discuss the relationship the police force has with the community. We had 28 participants with whom 7 were ladies. Everyone was free to air their view during encounters with the police. A troubling trend has surfaced as a result of these current protests: there has been a major decline in the connection between the police and the community, particularly the youth. Reports of police violence during these protests have sparked concerns about violations of human rights and the decline of public confidence in law enforcement.

Maintaining peace and order, defending citizens, and making sure that the law is enforced are the police’s core responsibilities. However many youths seem to complain that the police have been going beyond their authority during protests most are carelessly throwing tear gas and shooting innocent protesters unlike their duty which is to arrest looters in the protest and maintain peace in the community.

The incidents of police violence, particularly against Gen z and other vulnerable community members, have been a concerning feature of the protest. The police are at risk because of the sharp decline in the public’s connection with them. Many participants complained that Ruben Police station and Kware post have failed the community since they should not fight the people rather protect them while they fight for their demand.

In the recent crisis at Kware bodies have been retrieved without the presence of police officers who were ignorant of the surrounding which they should be the 1^st people to have known that bodies have been dumped at the Quarry.

In mukuru kwa Ruben the police started the protest by aimlessly throwing tear gas to the peaceful community.

“The police were handling people like kids and commanding people to go home as if we have curfew “one participant said.

We need to look at the state of the nation, everyone need to be accountable to their deeds

The NG-CDF, the county, the police station, and ourselves

If we look at our police department some people are not even qualified they failed their exams and have low grades to even be working

The same police use force and beat people ruthlessly, they do not even know how to handle the crowd and the situation at hand

The government needs to do proper training to the police they used teargas that is said to be poisonous (Agent Orange)

How did the police handle Kwares situation

“The post has failed the community kazi ni kushika watu wa boda”one participant said

 The government has used an Airtel agent as the sacrificial lamb to the murder of the bodies retrieved from the Quarry.

The story does not add up since the gadgets being used are recent models of technology

The people who decided to voluntarily remove bodies from the quarry have been arrested

No government machine has been used to handle the crisis since day one and there are still more bodies being retrieved

The MPs and MCAs have not been to the quarry to console the community they only showed up at the quarry when Raila was there and they went missing since that day.

During our Tuesday’s Coffee Bar Session which was held at the MuYI hub, we had 23 participants two of whom were females and 21 males. We discussed the role of Gen Z in the current governance system. Most of the people in the dialogue were Gen Z which spiced up the conversation having only 5 Millennials.

Gen Z are individuals that were born between 1997-2012 millennials were born between 1981 and 1996. For the past three weeks, Kenya has been on a roller coaster of emotions from the Gen Z rejecting the finance Bill, to its being withdrawn by the president and to the current campaign of the Gen Z wanting the president to resign.

“It’s high time the youths take control of what is going on in the parliament since the government is oppressing the people who put them in power,” one participant said.

Gen z perspective on what sparked the ongoing protest?

Most young people argued that the president has put people through so many lies and that he speaks with pride. Circulation of the fake fertilizer –the government has been giving farmers fake fertilizer at a cheaper price whilst lying to them that it is quality fertilizer. The finance bill played a big role in the protest since people realized it is a form of oppression and it had hidden agendas for the increase in the price of basic commodities such as diapers and bread.

 Enough is enough since the finance Bill was rejected and withdrawn by the president there are cases of abduction and merciless deaths of young people who are being shot by the police in peaceful demonstrations.

Revolution started during the rise of gengetone when music was used to express oneself openly without fear of topics of sex which was against the norm.

Faruk Kibet sparked people’s minds when he once said that most young people are keyboard warriors and that they don’t take action on what they say which led the young people to take action and go out in the streets to protest.

The Finance Bill –taxing of our own inherited lands made people angry

Most graduates lack job opportunities with the president’s campaign of Finya computer Pata dollar.

Most Gen z are learned people who can understand details in the finance bill and have a voice in rejecting what they do not want unlike our parents who are used to oppression and do nothing about it.

Most Gen Z are not tribal like how their parents used to be their main aim is pushing for good representation in the local and national government.

“Our parents are not in agreement with the current government but worry that they have bills that they need to pay, they have to put food on the table and we cannot protest together with them since who will bail the other one out in case we are all arrested? “One participant asked

Gen Z does not do a lot of calculations before stepping on the streets since they are still very young and are brave in whatever circumstances they might face.

Access to information As a result of increased media literacy, young Kenyans are more equipped to engage in informed political debate, fight misinformation, and critically examine information.

The differences in social media platforms –most Gen Z use TikTok to source information and for entertainment while Millennials use X formally known as Twitter. Most Gen Z want to be seen while the Millennials remain faceless on Twitter.

People want accountability –overseeing the government since the government cannot even audit the expenditure of the budget money. Most government officials are spending the money on luxuries such as buying expensive watches, belts, and shoes the same money can be used

People are tired of dealing with insensitive leaders who do not care about the nation only for their gain.

Our parents did not have access to information and were unable to connect how the government officials were looting money for development which affects how we pay our taxes.

Impacts that Gen Z have on the current government

The young people no longer let politicians lie to them on the church alters during fundraising.

The youths have unsuspended the constitution hence the government feels like the power belongs to the people, not them.

Gen Z can make proper decisions the only challenge they have is that they don’t have representatives since they are leaderless

Generation Z has made many people to be patriotic to their country without fear.

We should come together as one and encourage one another to remain peaceful

They are stopping looters and rioting demonstrators.

In conclusion, Kenya’s Generation Z is becoming a dynamic force in the political system, influencing policies and bringing about change through activism, political involvement, and innovation. Their distinct viewpoints and technological expertise are influencing how the nation will govern itself in the future.

During Tuesday’s Coffee Bar Session which was held at MuYI, we discussed the state of the nation. The devastating effects on many people especially the youth have caused loss of lives, destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as disruption of economic activities amongst many entrepreneurs in the CBD and most parts of the country.

The Kenya Finance Bill 2024 is a legislative proposal by the Kenyan government outlining changes to taxation, fees, and other financial regulations for the upcoming fiscal year. This bill is part of the government’s annual budget process and aims to generate revenue, regulate economic activities, and fund government operations and projects. Many Kenyans are in disagreement with Tax Proposals since there are changes in tax rates or structures that are seen as unfair to certain groups in the country.

Many youths argued that spending priorities on how funds are allocated such as increases and cuts to essential services and goods, its misplacement of priorities, and the leaders want to overtax the same people who elected them. Right now Gen Z are woke and are rising against the government who do not give an ear to their plea. The Bill has introduced many taxes and there is no major development for the past two years.

“Zakayo is a manipulator, liar and a one-term president si must amalize one term ndio atumalize!” one participant said.

Many youths have Concerns about the overall economic impact of the bill, such as increasing the deficit or harming economic growth, and lack of transparency with the process in which the bill was created since the public participation was done had insufficient debates and inputs from most people in the country. The total amount spent in FY 2023–2024 is Ksh 3.7 trillion. This development expenses are high and the capital expenditure outlay for 2024–2025 was revealed to have increased by 11.1%.

For the past two weeks, the demonstrations have had a wide range of impacts on both the people involved and the country as a whole. They have created awareness among the general public and the international community however it has also led to violence, death, injuries, and loss of property since the parliament building was attacked people stole things and many things were broken. Clashes between demonstrators and the police led to the death of several youths including the police

Many peaceful protesters are not happy since People were being arrested as early as 9 AM

“For any freedom to be achieved there has to be death and the small battles make people win the greatest battles!” one participant said.

The protest has been impactful since the previous votes have shown a difference since 204 MPs voted yes and 115 No whilst in the last process 196 MPs voted to pass the bill 105 voted against it and 3 MPs votes became spoilt.

The activists came in numbers to help demonstrators in many areas such as providing water, minor fast aiding and even ensuring that those arrested were released for free one participant mentioned that he could not believe that the police could arrest you but still set them free with no charges unlike the usual times when one has to give them money

The youths said that this is the last time they are swayed and fooled to vote for incompetent people and leaders who come to manipulate them into thinking other leaders are bad. Many leaders have deceived us through the church. The youths are against leaders who use the youths to loot and vandalize people’s property and will not allow leaders to use them again.

Introduction

We held the coffee bar discussion on 18^th June 2024 which was based on Culture and Beliefs of different communities. The objective was to promote comprehension and correct misunderstandings. We defined Culture and belief as follow:

• Culture includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by humans as members of society. It encompasses both tangible and intangible elements that define a group’s way of life.
• Beliefs are specific ideas that people hold to be true. They are closely tied to the values and norms of a culture and often stem from religious, philosophical, or social ideologies.

Different youths had different views on different tribes, their cultures and beliefs where most were open about them

Luhya-The Luhya are the second largest ethnic group in Kenya, inhabiting the Western Province. They are composed of 18 sub-tribes, each with unique customs but a shared cultural heritage. They used to “accidentally” kill one twin in case they were the first children born

Kisii- the Kisii, also known as the Gusii, are an ethnic group in Kenya primarily residing in Kisii County and parts of Nyamira County in the southwestern region of the country. They are known for their agricultural prowess, rich traditions, and strong community bonds. Whenever they bury someone they would wake up the next morning to a dropping grave

Kikuyu- their rite of passage Includes birth, circumcision, marriage, and death. However the 8-4-4 system has affected their circumcision process where most of their young boys are circumcised after their grade 8 education level before they head to high school.

Kamba community- the girls are given some property by their parents when the traditionally move to their husbands place

Luo-The Luo are the fourth largest ethnic group in Kenya, living mainly around Lake Victoria in the Nyanza Province. They are known for their fishing culture and rich oral traditions. Their rites of Passage include Birth, initiation, marriage, and burial rites are significant. Initiation rites do not involve circumcision, unlike many other Kenyan tribes. They were known to remove one of their incisors on the bottom jaw.

Maasai-The Maasai are a semi-nomadic people primarily found in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are known for their distinctive customs, dress, and strong warrior culture. For them giving dowry to their girls is believed to be an endless process. They were also believed to kill lions to prove their manhood.

Impact on Society

Culture and beliefs profoundly impact various aspects of society, including:

• Social Structure: Culture defines the roles and hierarchies within a society. For instance, caste systems in India or class systems in many Western countries.
• Education: Beliefs influence educational systems and the value placed on education. For example, Confucian cultures emphasize respect for teachers and the importance of education.
• Economy: Cultural attitudes toward work, wealth, and consumption can shape economic practices and policies.
• Politics: Cultural beliefs and values can influence political systems and ideologies. For example, democratic values in Western cultures or collectivist values in many Asian societies.
• Health: Cultural beliefs about health, illness, and medical practices affect how societies approach healthcare and medicine. Traditional medicine versus modern medicine is a common dichotomy.

 Conclusion

The Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, and Maasai communities each have unique cultures and belief systems that have shaped their identities and ways of life. While modernization and globalization have influenced these communities, many traditional practices and beliefs continue to thrive, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of Kenya.

Understanding culture and beliefs is crucial for fostering mutual respect and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world. By appreciating the diversity and complexity of cultural practices and belief systems, societies can promote more inclusive and harmonious interactions among their members

Our coffee bar on 11^th June 2024 revolved around LGBTQIA+ issues from diverse perspectives, from youths who attended the discussion. The aim was to foster an understanding, address misconceptions, and promote inclusivity. As expected the discussion was controversial from the word go due to divergent views some being pro LGBTQIA+ and some being totally against it.

The discussion was Moderated by Nelmo Munyiri our Executive Director, who has extensive experience in mediating sensitive topics, the discussion was ensured to be constructive and not accuse, the Participants were 30, young people, from Mukuru with different views on the topic, the discussion revolved around;

• Understanding LGBTQIA+ Identities
• The discussion started with an educational segment on the LGBTQIA+ acronym, explaining each identity:
• Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB): Pertaining to sexual orientation.
• Transgender (T): Relating to gender identity different from the sex assigned at birth.
• Queer and Questioning (Q): An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities and individuals    exploring their identities.
• Intersex (I): Individuals born with physical sex characteristics that don’t fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
• Asexual (A): Individuals who experience little or no sexual attraction to others.
• Plus (+): Acknowledging the inclusion of other sexual and gender identities.

It was clear that Perspectives from those with anti LGBTQIA+ stand were based form a point of;

• Fear and Misunderstanding: Many expressed fear and misunderstanding about LGBTQIA+ identities.
• Cultural and Religious Beliefs: Some rooted their views in cultural or religious beliefs, expressing concerns about reconciling these beliefs with LGBTQIA+ acceptance.
• Willingness to Learn: Despite their views, some participants showed a willingness to engage and learn more about LGBTQIA+ issues but most of them said they can never be willing to accept the Queer community

Some of the outcomes of the discussion were;

• Promoted Understanding: Bridged the gap between individuals with different views those who are pro and those who anti LGBTQIA+.
• Addressed Misconceptions: Identify and correct common misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ identities and issues.
• Encouraged Inclusivity: Fostered a more inclusive environment by encouraging empathy
• Shared Experiences: Allowed both LGBTQIA+ individuals and those with differing views to share their perspectives.
• Build Bridges: Created pathways for better communication and understanding among all participants.

Conclusion

The open discussion on LGBTQIA+ issues involving individuals with different views and the other neutral was a crucial step towards fostering understanding and inclusivity. By addressing misconceptions and sharing personal experiences, the discussion helped bridge the gap between differing perspectives. Continued dialogue, education, and advocacy are essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all.