Thellesi Trust

We agree that there needs to be a clear delineation of roles not just between MPs and Senators, but for all elected representatives. If you employ someone, you give them a clear job description: "You are responsible for this, this, and this." Yet, despite having the 2010 Constitution, the roles and responsibilities of our elected leaders remain ambiguous. It’s not like there’s a simple checklist. For example, MPs are tasked with addressing "matters of concern" to the people. But what exactly are these matters? Who defines them? And what prevents MPs or Senators from overstepping into each other’s roles or worse, failing to deliver and blaming it on another office? Even though the Constitution provides a framework for these roles, it often lacks clarity on the extent of each leader’s mandate. Representation is broad but what does it truly mean? Where does the responsibility of an MP end and that of a Senator begin? Are these roles and responsibilities defined strictly by the Constitution, or do political manifestos play a role in shaping their responsibilities? So how do we ensure accountability when we don’t have a clear understanding of what our elected leaders are actually supposed to do and their responsibilities are vague. #Governance #Accountability #PeopleMatter

On this #InternationalWomensDay, we at Thellesi Trust together with creatives from our #Kibaraza program took time to reflect on #WomenEmpowerment initiatives - especially the grassroots ones. Many NGOs, Nonprofits and Changemakers dedicate a lot of time and resources to designing solutions aimed at improving women’s lives. Some of these have worked. But many haven’t. Why? Because nuance gets lost somewhere in the process. For example, nuance in why a project is designed in the first place. What are the real motivations? Nuance in how cultural norms, attitudes and socia-economic realities affect these projects and their outcomes. Too often, projects empower women on paper (concept notes) than in reality. Here is a powerful example by Yusuf Bamkuu >>> https://lnkd.in/d3eQMGCN As we celebrate women today and discuss how to accelerate their empowerment, let us go beyond good intentions. Let us deeply understand nuances in order to design for real, lasting change. ***** When we designed the #Kibaraza program, our goal was simple: to empower grassroots creatives to create more, create better, collaborate, and earn from their work. One way we’re making this happen is by supporting them to develop projects (both personal and collaborative), that tell hidden stories from their communities. Through these projects, these creatives not only tell stories, but also hone their technical and soft skills, strengthen collaboration, expand hands-on experience, and use social media to gain visibility. All while building stronger CVs and positioning themselves for better opportunities. This is exciting for me because it is not just about creativity and storytelling, it is also about equity in creative spaces. It’s about ensuring that grassroots creatives have a seat at the table where urban creatives predominantly occupy. #IWD2025 #CommunityStorytelling

This #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate storytellers in our community like Yusuf Bamkuu. For amplifying critical issues affecting women in his community in his #WeMenEmpowerment short film. This clearly demonstrates that indeed storytelling is a vital tool in reshaping reality, uncover truths, challenge injustices, and shine a light on the unseen battles women face daily. Through this we are able to understand the complexities of progress: what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s still hidden in the shadows. Just imagine how storytelling would accelerate progress: giving voice to communities and fueling collective empowerment as you watch this short film. https://lnkd.in/dDDVpJ6f #PeopleMatter #Kibaraza

What 7 Years & 13,000 Interviews Reveal About Young Kenyans Kenya’s youth aren’t waiting for opportunities—they’re creating them. With over 11 million young people shaping the country’s future, Dale Mwangi took the stage at #AMF2025 to share groundbreaking insights from seven years of research by Shujaaz Inc From navigating the informal economy to tackling mental health, climate change, and tech inequality, young Kenyans are hustling, innovating, and rewriting the rules. Half struggle with mental health, 85% believe in climate change, and rural-urban tech gaps now outpace gender divides, leaving young rural women at the greatest disadvantage. #AMF2025 #AfricaMediaFestival #AMFBridgingGaps #AMFConnectingMediaFutures

Today, is #WorldNGODay, we reflect on the journey we've had—the conversations, the change we've pushed for, and the communities we've engaged and continue to grow with. Various issues we’ve tackled like governance, advocacy, youth empowerment, creative sector every interaction has reinforced one thing: #YOUthMatter #PeopleMatter. Looking back, we see growth. We see young people stepping up, demanding accountability, and actively shaping the future. We see creatives collaborating on great impactful projects, But the work isn’t done. The mission continues, and every voice, every effort counts. To every partner, supporter, changemakers, creatives and youth walking this path with us—thank you. Here’s to more impact, more action, and a future we create now🌍. #PeopleMatter

Hello there, Today, lets throw it back to a very informative campaign we did called #MakosaNiYangu, where we explored how government processes like voting and policy-making shape our daily lives. As young people, it's crucial that we actively engage in governance because when we understand the process, we can make informed decisions. Right now, the #BudgetProcess for the 2025/2026 financial year is ongoing. The CS for Treasury and Economic Planning has released key budget documents for public participation; 1. 2025 Budget Policy Statement 2. 2025 Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy This is our chance to submit memorandums and make make informed choices by asking the hard questions. Let me hear what you think? #MakosaNiYangu #Budget2025/2026

The #Kibaraza Program has demonstrated how empowering local creatives transforms storytelling from a passive recounting of events to an active tool for empowerment, representation, and sustainable change. By shifting the lens from telling stories about a community to telling stories with and by the community, these initiatives are redefining what it means to engage in narrative work. The broader benefits of Community Storytelling and investing in grassroots creatives brings several key benefits: Authenticity: Stories crafted from within capture the subtle cultural, social, and emotional realities of a community. Representation: When community members control their narratives, they represent themselves accurately, challenging misrepresentations and stereotypes. Sustainable Change: Authentic storytelling inspires local action and can mobilize resources for community development, creating a cycle of positive change. Cultural Preservation: By telling their own stories, communities preserve their heritage and ensure that future generations understand the complexity and richness of their past. Here is a project done by the Photographers highlighting the effects of teenage pregancy in Kilifi County have a look https://lnkd.in/dzcnEBdX #Kibaraza #PeopleMatter

The Coast Collective is a collective of brilliant creatives at Maono Space, who come together to tell powerful stories, guided and supported by one of the organisations in the Space called Thellesi Trust. This #DreamsCutShort project is one of the most powerful I have seen, bringing out the challenges children face in Kilifi County - not just in the hard life they live but in sexual reproductive rights areas. Go Look at the Gallery reach out to the team, and learn more. FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication NetworkAMWIK KENYA Shikoh Gitau Fiona Stewart Deborah Kimathi Nnenna Esther Isu-Omo Ifrah Arab Rachel Cooper Memory Zonde-Kachambwa Florence Syevuo

Take a minute, look around you. Now, picture what a thousand bob could buy you a few years ago. Fast forward to today—businesses are struggling, the cost of living has risen, and education and opportunities feel out of reach. But the real question is—how did we get here? At the core of all this is #Governance. The decisions made in government corridors don’t just stay on paper; they dictate the reality of our daily lives. When new taxes are imposed, businesses feel the heat. When agriculture is neglected, food becomes unaffordable. Every decision at the top has a ripple effect that lands on our plates—sometimes, quite literally. So, what can we do? As youth, engagement is no longer optional. We must start asking the right questions, holding our leaders accountable, and demanding better policies. Beyond social media, we need to actively participate—visit our local leaders (MCAs), engage in policy discussions, and make our voices heard when critical decisions like budget allocations are on the table. But #CivicEngagement goes beyond just activism—it requires understanding. This is where Thellesi Trust comes in. Part of what we do is break down complex governance, policy, and social issues into bite-sized, relatable information, making it easier for young people to grasp. Because when youth truly understand laws, systems, and decisions, they can engage meaningfully, advocate effectively, and drive real change. Governance isn’t just about elections every five years—it’s about the daily decisions shaping our lives. When we are informed, we are empowered. When we are empowered, we act. And when we act, we change the course of our future. #PeopleMatter #YOUthMatter #ActiveCitizenship

Data is one of our most valuable resources, yet we give it away so easily—when we browse, shop, use social media, or even enter office buildings. More often than not, this data is collected, analyzed, and used without our full understanding. While data protection laws exist, enforcement remains weak, and many people are unaware of their rights. In Kenya, personal information has been misused for fraud, identity theft, and aggressive marketing, yet the culture of casually handing over our details remains deeply ingrained. How safe is our data? It’s encouraging to see more people raising concerns about data privacy and protection. In the recent past, we’ve collaborated with the The Open Institute on the #FichaUchi campaign, aimed at educating citizens on their data rights and the importance of safeguarding their personal information. Through creative storytelling, memes, community skits, and digital content, we’ve reached millions across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, sparking conversations on data protection. But there’s still a long way to go. We must keep advocating for stronger data governance, digital literacy, and informed citizenship. Read more about it; https://lnkd.in/dEuBfwvk #FichaUchi #DataPrivacy #DataProtection