Syokimau Court Leaders approve SRA courts mebership

Following consultative meetings held with various members of the association, including but not limited to the Board/Executive Committee (EXCOM), the Road Representatives, Court leaders and others, it has been agreed by the majority that the SRA Articles of Association be amended, specifically on the Articles relating to the membership composition of SRA from individual membership to Court and Estate membership.

The Board/EXCOM will soon be issuing a Notice for an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting(EOGM) during which ALL members will be invited to attend and make these very necessary resolutions.

How will the organization operate once the change is made?

1. Once the new membership structure is approved by current SRA members’ resolution, the Board/EXCOM, will commence legal procedures to change the Articles and also assist and facilitate the registration of courts within Syokimau into Community Based Organizations(CBOs) under the State Department for Social Protection, within the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
2. A community based organization (CBO) is a registered non-governmental, non-profit and non-political organization. This formal and legal registration process is to ensure that in the event of any changes in physical residents through sale & transfer of properties/land parcels within the courts, the remaining residents can still forge ahead and have a voice within the SRA and the community at large.
3. The new CBOs will comprise of Management Committee`s headed by a Chairperson who will act as a duly appointed Court Leader.
4. A detailed list of requirements for registration into CBOs shall be communicated through the court leaders. The estimate cost of registration is KES 5,000 per Court and each court will be responsible to bear this cost.

For those courts already registered as Self Help Groups(SHG), estate limited liability Management Companies, Business Names or other legally recognized entity, there will be no need to register and membership will be considered as the already registered entity and dealt with on a case by case basis.

What will members experience as a result of making the necessary transitions?

• With the change in membership structure to a formal entity, there is now provided the opportunity for quicker decisions by the Court Leaders appointed through the court management committees. SRA will continue providing its efficient and direct link to National and County Government offices and service.

• With the new legal registration, the court will strengthen its capacity to legal avenues to address weighty issues such as land-grabbing, environmental pollution and other matters directly affecting the court.

The experience will be better in achieving desired results within our immediate living areas.

Will there be tangible results? What will those results look like?

• There will also be reduced financial cost on individual homes as the monthly/annual membership fee will now be court based and not individual based. The proposed monthly membership fee per court will be KES 2,000/- and dependent on the number of units/homes within a court. This will be a reduction from the current structure that requires an amount of KES 450/-
• Quick turnaround on decision making as we lobby for Government services.
• Courts will have a legal standing upon which they can anchor their action in the community

What will the rewards be, both for the individuals and your organization as a whole?

• A sense of accomplishment in that the Courts and the Secretariat working together seamlessly will now be properly and fully equipped to deal with the day to day running of the organizations and their various agenda.

The vision and mission of making Syokimau a better residential area will continue to grow.

• The court members of SRA will continue to enjoy the same benefits as before only more enhanced and will include:
• Greater impetus in lobbying for Government Services
• Structured approach to upholding Value of Properties
• Co-ordinated efforts in Protecting Residents Welfare
• Improved control measures in Safeguarding the Environment
• Youth Mentorship
• Vibrant Security operations with better Information & Education dissemination

All these measures are of course not without cost, SRA has initiated steps to reduce expenses and we must continue to align our cost structure to be more efficient and effective to the operating environment and the residents we seek to serve.

The year ahead will bring its own challenges but we are sure by working together, keeping focussed on our priorities and putting our residents first we can realise our ambitions. These will certainly continue to be my priorities and I am convinced I can count on you to do the same.

Yours Sincerely,

On behalf of Syokimau Residents Association

John Mutinda

Chairperson