Design Phase (6 months)

The Chambua – Enhancing Inclusive Taxation Project is working to ensure that the rightsholders groups are accessing productive resources, open and inclusive spaces for political participation. The project focuses on the implementation of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) in Nairobi and Kisumu Counties, the participation of the rightsholders groups in budget-making process and oversees the management of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.  A fund that targets these groups and which is constituted through the national budget processes.

The objective of the project is to enhance the participation and voice of 300 PWDs and 500 women in the budget-making process in Nairobi and Kisumu Counties by June 2022.

Implementation Phase (18months)

The project aims to promote greater access to productive resources and the creation of more open political participation and civic engagement by Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and women facing exploitation, abuse and/or violence.  The project will empower PWDs and women facing exploitation, abuse and/or violence young people to self – advocate and inform based research and policy recommendations to be generated by the project. The evidence-based research and policy recommendations will be utilised to influence and catalyse access to productive resources, political spaces, processes and participation by the aforementioned rights holders.

Lessons learnt and innovations from the design phase of Chambua have informed the development of this Implementation phase. This phase will be implemented in the Counties of Kisumu and Nairobi, in Kenya.

Strengthening Participation: How Women and Persons with Disabilities Are Shaping Public Decision-Making in Kenya 

For too long, women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nairobi and Kisumu counties have been excluded from critical decision-making processes, especially in how public funds are allocated and utilized. Through an Innovate & Learn grant, the Kenyan Paraplegic Organization (KPO), Kenya Female Advisory Organization (KEFEADO), and the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) came together to change this narrative. Their mission was clear: empower rightsholders to actively participate in governance, influence budgeting decisions, and access economic opportunities. 

By providing civic education, direct engagement with government officials, and social accountability tools, the project enabled 800 rightsholders (300 PWDs and 500 women) to engage in public forums, demand transparency, and access government funds meant for marginalized groups. Huduma Mashinani, an innovative dialogue platform, created direct engagement between citizens and county governments, allowing rightsholders to voice concerns about service delivery and policy gaps. Additionally, by leveraging digital tools like webinars, Facebook Live sessions, and citizen scorecards, the project expanded the reach of governance discussions, ensuring more inclusive and transparent processes. 

One of the major successes was influencing the budget-making process, with 64 rightsholder groups submitting petitions and memorandums to government officials. Several women-led and PWD-owned businesses also secured government procurement contracts through the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program, breaking barriers to economic participation. In Kisumu, the introduction of digital public forums provided a new space for inclusive policy discussions, demonstrating how technology can enhance civic engagement. 

Lessons Learned: The Power of Community-Led Governance 

One of the biggest lessons from this project was that access to information is a game changer. Many rightsholders were previously unaware of their rights, funding opportunities, or how to engage in governance. Once provided with knowledge and advocacy skills, they became proactive in budget processes, some even attending public forums independently—without the need for external facilitation. This shift underscores the importance of sustained civic education in fostering long-term change. 

Another critical learning was the power of grassroots leadership. The formation of Community Action Groups (CAGs)—composed of trained rightsholder champions—proved instrumental in mobilizing communities and holding duty bearers accountable. Their credibility and leadership ensured continuity; even as external project support decreased. 

However, challenges remain—particularly regarding access to affirmative action funds. Bureaucratic barriers, lack of transparency, and political interference in fund distribution have discouraged many marginalized groups from applying. The project learned that persistent engagement with duty bearers and policy reforms are essential to making these funds truly accessible to those who need them most. 

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Inclusive Participation 

The project has laid a strong foundation for lasting change, but the work does not stop here. Moving forward, the partners plan to: 

• Expand Huduma Mashinani dialogues to strengthen citizen-government engagement. 

• Support rightsholders in accessing government funds through continued advocacy. 

• Institutionalize inclusive governance structures within county planning. 

• Strengthen women and PWD-led businesses to scale up economic opportunities. 

By proving that marginalized communities can shape public policy when given the right tools and support, this initiative has challenged existing power dynamics and created new spaces for inclusive governance. The journey continues, but one thing is certain: when rightsholders raise their voices, change happens.