What we do: openness, inclusion and accountability as our three strategic themes

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:

1. Publication and dissemination of Parliamentary information
+

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.

2. Tools for tracking, influencing and monitoring of legislative initiatives
+

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.

3. Research and analysis on open Parliaments and relevant legislative themes
4. Technical assistance
+

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.

5. Convening elected representatives and citizens
+

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.

6. Social media amplification
+

of public hearings or key debates in Parliament.

7. Sharing lessons and experiences with Parliamentary monitoring organisations
+

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:

1. Capacity building for marginalized group representatives and associations
+

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.

2. Research and analysis on women, youth and PwD in politics
+

to advance the participation and inclusion of marginalized groups and to inform legislative developments and advocacy.

3. Leading and coordinating advocacy and media engagement
+

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.

4. Building a broad pro-inclusion movement
+

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.

5. Deploy tactics to showcase the work and experiences
+

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:

1. Annual scorecards
+

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.

2. Online and offline tools to aggregate and amplify public comments
+

on legislative initiatives and debates, such as Dokeza, Bonga-na-Mzalendo, Mzalendo Chats and Mzalendo’s social media and newsletter.

3. Research and engagement
+

with political parties on how electoral manifesto commitments translate into legislative initiatives.

4. Improving the accountability of CDF and NGAAF spending
+

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.

5. Leading or supporting research, advocacy and media engagement
+

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.

6. Honour and showcase MPs who champion public interest
+

via the People’s Shujaaz Awards and other interventions.

7. Convening of multi-stakeholder forums
+

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.