COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STORIES FROM EAST AFRICA, 2025
Kilimani Community Foundation did something most organizations avoid. They brought government duty bearers and civic leaders into the same room. Not for confrontation. For conversation.
The Ward Service Delivery Roundtable, partnered with Leadership Nairobi, created a structured space where the relationships that typically break down actually got rebuilt. Each duty bearer (the Chief, Ward and Subcounty Administrators, Nairobi Water representatives, KPLC, KURA) was paired with one Leadership Nairobi fellow. One-on-one conversations. Community service delivery reports grounded the discussions in evidence. Each pair developed three actionable solutions. Public quarterly commitments created mutual accountability.
The results were tangible. Stronger relationships between civic actors and government. Renewed trust. Clear follow-up framework with measurable commitments. A replicable model for other wards. The tone shifted from tension to collaboration because the methodology started with appreciative inquiry. Duty bearers shared successes first, creating psychological safety before discussing challenges.
The lesson Kilimani carries is practical. Start with relationships, not demands. Evidence transforms complaint into dialogue. Create space for duty bearers to acknowledge constraints. Vulnerability builds trust faster than pressure. One-on-one conversations unlock honesty that public forums suppress. Appreciative inquiry opens doors criticism closes. When you ask what’s working before addressing what’s broken, people engage differently.
