We are currently taking part in the PROVE (Public Space Governance Research, Observation, Validation and Experimentation) Pilot Programme, a four month initiative run by Public Space Networks (PSN) that brings together 11 community groups from Kamukunji and Korogocho.
The programme is building the capacity of community based organisations to manage, protect and improve public spaces, as well as restore rivers and the ecosystems around them. Our most recent training session focused on the connection between public spaces, river restoration and ecosystem conservation in Nairobi, and on building stronger collaboration between communities, government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders working across the city.
The session was led in part by Major Dennis Ayoti from the Nairobi Rivers Commission, who spoke about the importance of community participation and coordination in restoring and protecting Nairobi's rivers and public spaces. His input reinforced something we see in our own work in Kibera: lasting change depends on communities being at the centre of the process, not brought in once decisions are already made.
We look forward to continuing this training as the PROVE programme progresses over the coming months.
