Hakijamii, Kenya

Struggle for economic and social rights of the poorest citizens in Kenya

While the Kenya in general has witnessed economic growth, the living conditions of the poorest part of the population have not improved. Access to drinking water, sanitation, waste management, health care, housing, land rights and participation in the local government remain challenges in informal settlements. The central government has not done enough to solve these problems. However, the grassroots organizations in the slums are step by step becoming central actors in the battle for their own rights. Hakijamii Economic and Social Rights Centre is facilitating these community based organizations. Hakijamii is the only NGO in Kenya concentrating purely on the economic and social rights, which are central in the lives of dwellers in informal settlements.

In 2005 the quite newly established Hakijamii received a grant of 45 900 € from KIOS for the empowerment of community based organizations (CBOs) and for core work of Hakijamii itself. The objective of this first KIOS funded Hakijamii project was increased awareness among the poor on economic and social rights, strengthened capacity of the CBOs to stake a claim on their rights and to take precedents to the court.

“A government’s commitment to human rights is ultimately determined by how it allocates its resources”

During the project Hakijamii trained almost 500 CBO members on human rights, especially on water and land rights and on how to work in the communities. CBOs were able to network during the trainings, which eventually lead to establishment of two umbrella coalitions: Nairobi People’s Settlement Network and Kisumu Social Rights Association. Hakijamii has continued to support the grassroots organizations and they have also taken part in Hakijamii’s campaigns. The organizational capacity of Hakijamii also increased in the process, with new partners coming in to support its work.

In 2007 Hakijamii started a new project which received 75 900 € of KIOS support. The new project aims at monitoring the state’s progress in implementing its responsibilities related to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The project will also mobilize and give support to grassroots advocacy work and increase the capacity of 50 CBOs. The previously established grassroots networks and their democratic governance will be strengthened.

“We shall never give up; we shall never tire; we shall continue demanding what are truly our rights as citizens”

CBOs were trained and actively networking during the project. Hakijamii has facilitated their advocacy work towards the authorities, taken an eviction case to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, tried to advance land rights legislation and written a shadow report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Networks in Nairobi and Kisumu have drafted annual “People’s Budgets” and a public hearing was held in Nairobi regarding the use of local budget. The People’s Budgets have gained wide media coverage and showed one of the strengths of the empowerment done: fragmented small groups have started cooperating and use the power of masses to influence at grassroots and national levels.

(January 2010)

Hakijamii website:
www.hakijamii.net