Project: Youth for Accountability Project 2.0
Title of the Event: Report on Retizen Organisation Community Baraza
Date(s) and Time: 18th February 2026
Location:Kamoson Village
Organised by: Retizen Organisation
Participants / Target Audience: Youth and Community Members of Kamoson Village
Estimated Attendance: 110 (Majority youth representation (Over 70%)

1.0 Introduction and Purpose
Retizen Organisation conducted a community baraza on 18th February 2026 at Kamoson
Village as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening youth engagement, civic awareness,
and community accountability under the Youth for Accountability Project 2.0. The baraza was
organized to create an open platform where community members, especially young people,
could actively participate in dialogue with government officials and collectively discuss pressing
issues affecting the community. The main objective was to promote collaborative
problem-solving, enhance civic responsibility, and encourage stronger partnerships between the
community and relevant government offices.
2.0 Overview / Executive Summary
The baraza brought together a significant number of community members, with over 70% of the
attendees being youth, (49 female and 61 male). The session was attended by key government
officials including the Madam Chief, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), the County
Representative in charge of Gender Based Violence (GBV), and a Community Health Volunteer.The engagement was highly interactive and productive, with participants openly raising
concerns affecting Kamoson Village. Key issues discussed included theft, drug abuse, illicit
alcohol consumption, unemployment among the youth, teenage pregnancy, lack of electricity
supply in certain areas, and truancy. The officials responded by educating the community on
civil rights and responsibilities, security measures, reporting mechanisms, and access to
essential documentation such as National Identification Cards and birth certificates.

3.0 Detailed Description of Activities
The baraza commenced slightly later than scheduled due to the late arrival of some participants.
Additionally, rainfall during the session posed a challenge; however, attendees remained
present and engaged despite the weather disruption.
The session began with introductory remarks highlighting the purpose of the gathering and
emphasizing the importance of community participation in addressing local challenges.
Community members were then given an opportunity to share their concerns openly.
Security issues were prominently discussed, particularly cases of theft and increasing insecurity.
The OCS addressed these concerns by encouraging the establishment of a neighborhood
watch initiative to strengthen community-led security efforts. He emphasized the importance of
cooperation between residents and security agencies to reduce crime rates and enhance safety
within the village.
Drug abuse and illicit alcohol consumption among youth emerged as major concerns.
Participants linked these issues to rising unemployment levels and school dropouts.
Discussions also focused on teenage pregnancy and the increasing number of students not
attending school, highlighting the need for collective responsibility in guiding and mentoring
young people.
The officials provided civic education on rights and responsibilities, reinforcing the importance of
lawful conduct and active citizenship. Guidance was also offered on the procedures for
obtaining National Identification Cards and birth certificates to ensure that all eligible community
members can access government services and opportunities.
The County Representative in charge of Gender Based Violence sensitized participants on the
need to report GBV cases immediately without tolerance or silence. She emphasized that
community members should not ignore or conceal such cases and encouraged prompt reporting
to relevant authorities. She further proposed partnership and collaboration between the
community and county offices to effectively address GBV and support affected individuals.
The Community Health Volunteer contributed by highlighting the importance of community
vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable groups and promoting general well-being.

4.0 Participation Summary

The baraza recorded strong youth participation, with over 70% of attendees being young
people. Participation remained active throughout the session despite the delayed start and
rainfall interruption. The high youth turnout demonstrated increased interest in civic engagement
and willingness to be part of community development processes.

5.0 Key Achievements and Outputs
The primary achievement of the baraza was the successful facilitation of open dialogue between
the community and government officials. Youth were provided with a safe platform to voice their
concerns and seek clarification on governance, security, and social issues.
Another significant outcome was the commitment encouraged by the OCS to initiate a
neighborhood watch program as a practical step toward reducing insecurity. Increased
awareness on civil rights, responsibilities, GBV reporting mechanisms, and access to
identification documents was also achieved. The baraza strengthened collaboration between
the community, Retizen Organisation, and government representatives.

6.0 Challenges and Mitigation
The baraza experienced a delayed start due to late arrival of participants. Additionally, rainfall
during the session temporarily disrupted the proceedings. Despite these challenges, participants
remained committed and the discussions continued with minimal interruption. The resilience
shown by attendees demonstrated strong community interest and ownership of the issues
discussed.

7.0 Feedback and Observations
The session was observed to be highly engaging and productive, with participants actively
contributing to discussions. Community members appreciated the presence of government
officials and the opportunity to directly address pressing concerns. The strong youth turnout and
sustained engagement throughout the session indicated growing civic awareness and readiness
to participate in accountability processes.

9.0 Recommendations / Next Steps
It is recommended that Retizen Organisation follow up on the proposed neighborhood watch
initiative to ensure its implementation and sustainability. Continued collaboration with the county
office on GBV awareness and reporting mechanisms should be strengthened.
Further community barazas and youth-focused engagements should be organized to monitor
progress on the issues raised, particularly unemployment, school attendance, and substance
abuse. Ongoing civic education and mentorship initiatives will further reinforce accountability,
responsible citizenship, and community-driven development in Kamoson Village.