Home » Our Work
A. Promoting and Monitoring Legislative Openness
We champion access to Parliamentary information and use technology to make Parliament more accessible. Using our web platform, we work to put in place mechanisms to increase engagement between representatives and their constituents. This includes cascading legislative transparency and oversight to county level by rolling out the legislative trackers in selected counties.
Flagship initiatives:
On Mzalendo’s website, including: Parliamentary and committee proceedings; a searchable Hansard; biodata, Parliamentary contributions, motions, Bills, statements and petitions by every elected representative; and CDF allocations and spending.
including an enhanced vote tracker of key legislative developments and committee activities; online surveys and polls of public priorities and perspectives on topical themes and constitutional discussions; and CDF spending tracking tools.
to Parliamentary committees, caucuses and secretariats to increase openness and accessibility of information, including through the design, implementation and monitoring of open Parliaments action plans at national and county levels, within the purview of the OGP, where opportune.
for dialogue and action on key legislative themes, including through a monthly dialogue series, open days and “know your MP” sessions, using a mix of virtual and physical platforms.
of public hearings or key debates in Parliament.
in the region.
B. Promoting Inclusive Parliaments and Political Processes
We champion the inclusion of marginalized people in Parliamentary and political processes. We work with Parliamentary caucuses, political parties, media, women, and youth-led or -focused civil society organizations to promote and monitor the progress of inclusive legislation, develop evidence-based research to inform decision making processes, and provide action-oriented dialogue opportunities between citizens and political actors.
Flagship initiatives:
including skills and knowledge training for youth and women representatives and their associations; convening and facilitation of action-setting meetings between, and with, marginalized groups Parliamentary associations; and mentorship and peer learning exchanges between elected youth and women representatives in Kenya and the rest of the region.
to advance the participation and inclusion of marginalized groups and to inform legislative developments and advocacy.
on legislative developments with a bearing on inclusion of marginalized groups and communities, in partnership with leading women, youth and PWDs Parliamentary associations and civic groups.
deepening networks and collaborative work with youth, women and PWDs leaders in civil society or with civic groups with a pro-inclusion agenda; and between these groups and relevant Parliamentary representatives, associations and caucuses. This will include collaboration with actors involved in the advancement of SDG 16 goals in Kenya.
of trailblazing women, youth and PwD representatives (e.g., Mzalendo Chats)
C. Promoting Civic Engagement, Scrutiny and Accountability of Parliaments
We champion public participation, citizen oversight over Parliaments, and more consultative and responsive political processes by developing tools for participation and consultation, coordinating civil society engagement with Parliament under the umbrella of the CSPEN, and leading research and analysis on the performance of Parliaments at national and county levels as well as on civic space issues.
Flagship initiatives:
to monitor the performance of Parliament, individual MPs, committees and political parties in terms of Parliamentary activities, transparency of proceedings and quality of work; we will also selectively deploy scorecards to county assemblies and representatives.
on legislative initiatives and debates, such as Dokeza, Bonga-na-Mzalendo, Mzalendo Chats and Mzalendo’s social media and newsletter.
with political parties on how electoral manifesto commitments translate into legislative initiatives.
Improving the accountability of CDF and NGAAF spending, by leading or facilitating social audits, in partnership with CSOs and citizens, and by increasing the quality of media oversight of Auditor General reports on use of CDF & NGAAF Funds.
to review and respond to legislative initiatives with an impact on civic space, integrity and public interest issues more broadly, generally playing a role of aggregator of public inputs and where relevant, directly influencing legislation.
via the People’s Shujaaz Awards and other interventions.
to increase political awareness, dialogue and collaboration between citizens, civil society and Parliament on Bills of national interest: Open space for public-Parliament dialogue accountability issues more generally.