Ni Sisi! starts at the bottom, connecting individuals and a wide variety of grassroots organizations working for positive social change around a set of core values. These values are; Heshima (respect), Diversity – inclusiveness, and Self-Belief – Equality.
Between 2009 and 2010, Ni Sisi! spent 18 months travelling around Kenya understanding the state of the Nation from wananchi (citizens). Hundreds of meetings with Kenyans from all walks of life revealed that, every region and individual in Kenya carries with them a burden of injustice perpetrated on them either individually or collectively.
The travels also found compelling commonalities too: Women have borne the bulk of the burden, holding together communities after the widespread post-election violence in 2007/8. Kenyans expressed doubt that their Government in its capacity was capable of providing security to all citizens regardless of their ethnicity.
Kenyans’ perceptions of economic inequality have been ethnicized and politicized. Among the youth, who comprise the vast majority of the Nation’s population, a sense of alienation and a feeling of hopelessness consume many. Interestingly, the post-election violence was a moment of empowerment for them in realising that they bear the solutions.
There is a general national sense of foreboding and uncertainty about the future. Kenyans need to rise up together to take charge of their own destiny. It is only us who can collectively create the space into which new leadership, which embraces respect and inclusiveness for all, can emerge and flourish.
Mentor potential young leaders into impactful transformative community leaders.
Through all this, Ni Sisi! will also be nurturing a unifying sense of Kenyan-ness across the country.