| Editors Note
Welcome to your informative and authoritative The KARA Monthly Newsletter. We welcome your valued feedback. Many thanks to Plateau Residents Association for being the latest members of Kara. “Like” our interactive members facebook page: “The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations” and follow us on twitter: @Kara_Kenya. Also join our blog “karakenya.wordpress.com” to contribute to topical subjects. We are glad you are reading.
 Key Highlights
1. Membership: Advisory on Non-Cooperation in Payment of Applicable Fees to Residents Associations
2. Elections: IEBC Plans for Mass Voter Registration
3. Training: Kara to Conduct Capacity Building Training Workshop for Key County Leaders
4. Technology: Kara Acquires Mpesa Paybill Number to Enhance Payment Convenience
5. Water & Sanitation: Kara Pitch for Better Governance & Performance Tools at the International Conference on Water & Saniation
6. Membership: Kara Strengthening Engagement with Members 7. Environment: Dandora Dumpsite Set For Expansion
Membership: Advisory on non-cooperation in payment of applicable fees to Residents Associations
Kara has received complaints from some of our members regarding residents of their neighborhoods who refuse to abide by the rules and regulations of the Association or pay the agreed subscription/ service fee. The argument by such residents is that there is no law compelling them to cooperate with the Association. However, we wish to advise that such arguments do not hold water and can be successfully challenged.
In a ruling made by Justice David Majanja on 29th January 2014 under Petition No.501 of 2013, Dr. Kiriinya M. Mwenda vs. Runda Water Ltd and Runda Association, The judge was very categorical that any beneficiary of common services provided by residents associations including security, maintenance and upkeep of the Estate should pay the fees applicable and determined by the Association for the services.
In the meantime, Kara is pushing for a stand-alone legislation to address such issues both at the County and National level. The reviewed Bill for Nairobi County is due for 3rd reading at the County Assembly. This will address County specific issues/challenges of residents associations and collaboration with the County Government. We intend to have a similar Bill for other Counties. We are also working on the National Residents Association Bill to address broader resident association’s issues. The Bill is being handled by Hon. Isaac Mwaura who will introduce it to the National Assembly. The passing of the Bills into law will strengthen Associations and make them more effective.
Elections: IEBC plans for mass voter registration
In order to increase the number of registered voters before the next General Election, IEBC has intensified its continuous voter registration exercise. The exercise began on February 15 and ends on March 15, 2016. The Commission also plans to carry out a similar drive early next year although registration will continue at the Constituency level up to May 2017, when the register will be closed for the General Election.
There are 24,559 registration centers that are being used for this exercise and a total no. Of 5,756 BVRs kits have been deployed across the 1,450 wards. A list of all the registration centers and distribution of the BVR kits can be accessed here. We urge you to take time and register as a voter if you are yet to do so in order to Participate in the next General Elections.
Training: Kara to conduct capacity building training workshop for key County leaders
Kara has organized the 6th capacity building training workshop for key County leaders. The workshop objective is to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and capacity to ensure effective and efficient management of County human resources for enhanced public service delivery. The training workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 16 to Friday, March 18 , 2016 and targeted participants are members of the County Public Service Boards and County Assembly Service Boards.
The workshop will be officially opened by Prof.Margaret Kobia, the Chairperson of Public Service Commission who will deliver a keynote address: Enhancing Access to Public Services at the Counties through Effective Human Resource Management. The closing ceremony will be presided over by The National Assembly Speaker Hon. Justin Muturi, who will speak on Performance Management Mechanisms in Place at the National Assembly to Ensure Better Service Delivery.
Technology: Kara acquires Mpesa paybill number to enhance payment convenience
We have in the past received requests from some of our friends, members and partners to provide convenient mechanism for paying subscriptions or any other payments due to Kara. We have therefore acquired an Mpesa pay bill number 133466 through which you can make payments at your convenience. Subscription for this year can be made through the Mpesa pay bill number or cash/cheque. We also welcome donations from well wishers to support Kara activities. The following steps are to be followed in making payment:
· Go to M-PESA on your phone Menu
· Select Payment Services/Lipa na Mpesa
· Select Pay Bill
· Enter the business number – 133466
· Enter account number – Your name/Name of the Association/Company
· Enter the amount you wish to pay
· Enter your M-PESA PIN
· Confirm details are correct and press OK
Water & Sanitation: Kara pitch for better governance & performance tools at the International Conference on Water & Sanitation
Water & Sanitation: Kara pitch for better governance & performance tools at the International Conference on Water and Sanitation
Kara was privileged to participate in the 18th African Water Association (AfWA) Congress and Exhibition held on 21st – 25th February 2016. The event was officially opened by the President of Kenya and brought together about 1,500 delegates including operators, professionals, and decision makers from various parts of the world to discuss sustainability issues and the challenges facing Africa in the area of water, sanitation and the environment. Kara CEO made a presentation on governance and performance tools in the water and sanitation sector and emphasized on the need for water and sanitation service providers to improve governance and institutionalize performance measurement tools for better service delivery.
Membership: Kara strengthening engagement with members
In an effort to strengthen our engagement with members, Kara rolled out a “meet our members” initiative where meetings will be held with members in their neighborhood to discuss successes, challenges and future plans as well as get feedback on how best to serve them in order to be more effective in enhancing access to better services in Kenya. We paid a visit to Kitisuru Estate Limited where a number of issues were discussed including roads maintenance, security, property development and zoning regulations. We have received several requests from members and we are soon visiting Mountain View Residents Associations; Ngei Phase II Residents Association, BuruBuru Residents Welfare Association, North Coast Ratepayers & Residents Association. To schedule a meeting with Kara team for your Association please contact Sarah Kanini on skaninior 0725983445.
Environment: Dandora dumpsite set for expansion
The Nairobi County Government is planning to expand the dandora dumpsite. The dumpsite which is the end point for most garbage generated by over three million city residents receives between 1,600 to 1,700 tons of waste daily. The tonnage is expected to rise with the increase in rural urban migration.
The County Government is planning to procure garbage compressors and an additional 20 trucks to operate within the dumpsite. The county has also put in about Kshs. 28 billion for the building of segregation, waste recycling and an electricity generating plants. The recycling plant would reduce the proliferation of landfills, which have eaten into land that can be useful for property development.
The County Government has also committed over Kshs .200 million for the construction and rehabilitation of Joseph Onsongo Road that leads to the dumpsite which was rendered impassable by the recent El Nino rains.
Calendar of Events: March/April 2016
1 March – JICA Solid waste Management Meeting at Panafric Hotel
5 March – Elections for BuruBuru Residents Welfare Association Officials
8 March – Kara Governing Council Meeting
16 March – 3 Days Kara Training Workshop for Key County Leaders
17 March – North Coast Ratepayers & Residents Association Annual General Meeting
20 March – Mountain View Residents Association Annual General Meeting
2 April – Ngei Phase II Residents Association Annual General Meeting
4 April – Kara Bimonthly Talk Series forum – 48
29 April – Kara Annual General Meeting |
