Isiolo, Kenya — In a bold step toward combating corruption and strengthening public accountability, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Meru County have committed to collaborating more closely in tracking and reporting stalled development projects. This comes after a two-day anti-corruption training workshop hosted at Royal Acacia Hotel in Isiolo by Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), in partnership with the Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), under the Tupigane na Ufisadi (TUNU) initiative.
Held in May 2025, the forum brought together grassroots organizations, local journalists, and accountability champions to evaluate the county’s progress in utilizing available tools for public transparency. Despite the rollout of digital reporting platforms such as the Action for Transparency (A4T) app and Uwajibikaji Pamoja in October 2024, TI-Kenya reported that no corruption complaints had been submitted from Meru County.
This revelation raised concern among facilitators and participants, especially considering visible public works that remain incomplete or lack transparency.
“The absence of reports does not mean the absence of corruption,” noted Lilian Gathua, Project Lead for TUNU at TI-Kenya. “It shows there is still fear, fragmentation, or lack of awareness in using the tools available.”
In response, participants acknowledged the need for collective action. They formed an ad hoc committee to identify stalled or questionable projects and take coordinated steps in following up with relevant authorities. Among the projects flagged during the forum were the Baseball Talent School, the Windmill Energy Project, Kianjai Market, Maua Sewage Project, and the Meru Youth Service (MYS) Programme—all of which had significant public funding but minimal visible progress.
Kenya continues to rank poorly in global corruption indices. According to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Kenya scored 32 out of 100, placing it among countries with high perceived levels of public sector corruption. This backdrop highlights the urgency for stronger community vigilance.
The Meru CSOs recognized that in the absence of evidence-based reporting, stalled projects remain unchallenged. A major session of the workshop focused on how to submit credible reports using the Uwajibikaji platform. The emphasis was on submitting verifiable evidence—including photographs, videos, or official documents—when filing complaints. This step is essential for enabling authorities and watchdog bodies to take concrete action.
The Uwajibikaji Pamoja platform, coupled with the Action for Transparency (A4T) mobile app, allows citizens to report suspected corruption anonymously or openly. Users can upload multimedia evidence and track the progress of their complaints. The platforms were developed to enhance participatory governance, particularly in sectors like education, health, and infrastructure.
While initial uptake in Meru was low, the workshop has sparked renewed interest and trust. Journalists attending the session also committed to using the platform as part of their investigative reporting work.
“We realized that by reporting as a united front, we reduce the risk of intimidation or victimization,” said one CSO member. “We must make accountability a collective responsibility.”
The CSOs also brainstormed on how to increase public awareness, including community sensitization drives, partnerships with local media, and quarterly joint assessments of public projects. By the end of the workshop, a detailed action plan had been drafted, with timelines for follow-up visits, report submissions, and engagement with county authorities.
The renewed sense of purpose among Meru CSOs marks a critical turning point in local governance. Their unified approach—grounded in evidence-based reporting, digital tools, and collaborative advocacy—offers a practical model for other counties facing similar challenges.
As Kenya prepares to mark the African Anti-Corruption Day in July, the momentum from the Isiolo workshop may serve as a rallying call for grassroots actors nationwide.
“Fighting corruption doesn’t always start in courtrooms—it starts in communities,” said Lilian Gathua. “And now, Meru is ready to speak up.”
