Court Leaders Consultative Meeting

“A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlight village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.” CHINUA ACHEBE

In the heart of our community, at the Bosma compound along Kiungani road on 17^th December 2023  the gathering of all Syokimau Court Leaders was held. This was a meeting that transcended a mere meeting; it was a dynamic intersection of diverse perspectives, shared experiences, and collective aspirations for Syokimau Residents. The gathering served as the nexus of communal bonds, where the court leaders forged connections that will knit the fabric of our shared existence. A lot was discussed which included and not limited to the multifaceted roles the court leaders play in fostering a sense of belonging, encouraging open dialogue, and mobilizing collective action in shaping the destiny of our shared spaces.

The court leaders were addressed by 5 generations of SRA leadership dating back to 2010.

Members were reminded of the humble beginnings of SRA which was established with the vision of being the preferred model estate in Kenya. The association has lived up to the vision, winning several awards and serving as a benchmark for several resident associations in the country. Among the thematic discussions were as follows

🎯The governance, structure, and operations of the association

The new constitution now allows membership by courts as opposed to individual members. The importance of courts was highlighted including serving as a form of identity, nyumba kumi security arrangements, and monitoring developments around the neighborhood. The court leaders were taken through the governing structure of the association as outlined in the constitution.

The achievements of the association

The achievements of the Association are many. A few essential ones were  highlighted including but not limited to;

🎯Enhanced security in the estate.

Mobilization of funds by SRA for building a police station coupled with lobbying for the deployment of police officers. Organizing the boda border operators and public transport operators within the neighborhood.

🎯Infrastructure

Lobbying for the tarmacking of Katani Road, Quarry Roads, Airport Road and also  Kiungani Road, and Mwananchi Road which were underway during the time of the meeting, Lobbying for completion of Community road and tarmacking of  Parliament roads being in the pipeline. Other projects on the lobby list are the deceleration lane at Gateway Mall/Airport Road junction

🎯Zoning

Successful formulation and rollout of the Syokimau land use plan after 6 years of lobbying. This will regulate development within the estate safeguarding against slum and irregular development thereby preserving property value.

🎯Public Land

The association has been involved in a spirited struggle to recover grabbed public spaces within our estate with notable success. the NLC has already made their determinations and now the said grabbed public lands are to be gazette and titles issued in public trust

🎯Mobilization

The formation of a mobilization committee that will include all court leaders was discussed this committee will work on the critical project of registering more courts as members of SRA. The SRA EXCOM to come up with a TOR for all court leaders

🎯The 2023 – 2025 SRA  strategic

This being the strategic document that will guide the association’s activities was presented to the court leaders. The chairman promised the residents that this document would be circulated widely in due course. The chairman urged the attendees to support the association by registering their courts with the association and paying the monthly contributions.  All monies collected go towards paying the office’s administrative expenses. On this, the chairman promised accountability through monthly management accounts provision for members to know how their subscriptions are being managed.

The chairman promised the residents a detailed calendar of events in 2024 to be circulated within January 2023

Various court leaders posed questions to the leadership which were answered comprehensively and satisfactorily before the closure of the meeting.

The court leaders present agreed unanimously that it is vital and necessary for the court leaders’ meeting to be held quarterly. This will help in taking stock of achievements and deliberating on emerging challenges facing the community.