Yes, proactive citizens can make a difference

Something phenomenal and transformative is happening in Kenya. In the last few weeks, a school management board, MPs and county government executives have found themselves on the receiving end of effective public civic action.

The primary school management board willingly approved the offer of a church to level their parking area without informing or involving the local community. In the process of levelling the parking area, a tree fell, blocking an adjacent road, cutting power lines and plunging 50 neighbours into darkness. Furious neighbours were forced to remove the debris and have their electricity reconnected by themselves.