Grassroots power: the road that came back.

Before · 2024 After · 2025

Grassroots Power: Abenengo CBO Fills the Gaps in Funyula’s Roads

Abenengo for Development (ABEDEV) Featured on Siasa Place’s Wall of Fame

Funyula, Busia County –In a powerful example of grassroots advocacy transforming local infrastructure, Abenengo Community-Based Organization (CBO) has been recognized by the civil society organization Siasa Place for successfully lobbying the government to murram a critical stretch of the Munana-Sigalame-Sio Port road in Funyula sub-county.

Once dotted with deep potholes and nearly impassable during rainy seasons, the road now boasts a smooth red-earth surface – a significant change that locals say has restored access, dignity, and safety to their daily journeys.

“This road was a nightmare, especially in rainy season. Boda bodas got stuck and businesses were suffering,” said a local trader at Sigalame market. “Today, thanks to Abenengo efforts, the road has been murrammed and we can move freely.”

Background

On 29 March 2025, Abenengo in partnership with Siasa Place held a Community Sports Dialogue event at Nandereka primary school in Ageng’a/Nanguba ward. Local leaders (area MP, Sub- County administrator, ward administrator, village administrator, youth officer, area chief, area assistant chief and village elder) attended and held a dialogue with the youths and other community members. Youths present comprised of those in college, out of college, those in informal sector – boda boda and SMEs, PWDs – deaf and sickle cell warriors.

The Issue

The poor state of Munana – Sigalame – Sio port road was raised in the forum for urgent attention. This road is under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) and is supposed to be routinely maintained by the Funyula CDF under the area Member of Parliament. It is a major road linking Funyula town to Sio Port center, where several service delivery facilities in Funyula are based – area OCPD, Subcounty hospital, KRA offices, and educational institutions including Sigalame High School and Bumbe National Polytechnic as well as the Coast Guard Station.

About 70% (80,000 people) of residents of Samia are affected by the poor state of this road. Particularly, security agencies, fisherfolk, traders, students, those seeking health services and other government services find it difficult to navigate through this road. The security sector operations are affected which has led to increased insecurity incidences in Samia. Further, the transport industry – public service vehicles and boda boda services that carry goods and services mostly get stuck along this key road due to its poor state both during dry and rainy seasons. As a result, traders of perishable goods often encounter losses.

The suggested way forward included 1) formation of a committee of 3 youths from ABEDEV to follow-up with the responsible duty bearer, 2) paying a site visit to assess the condition of the road, 3) raising the matter with the area MP for action, 4) making follow-ups on the commitment made to fix the road, 5) providing feedback to the youth through online posts, 6) ensure sustainability of the positive change through developing a jointly agreed youth-led citizens’ charter for the road, 7) initiate advocacy for the tarmacking of this road given its significance as a long-term solution.

Edgar Ouma, the coordinator at Abenengo CBO, the organization began its advocacy in March 2025 after conducting a community survey that revealed transportation as a top concern.

“We documented the condition of the road, mobilized community voices, and presented our findings to the area MP,” he said. “Persistence and people power made this happen.”

Follow-up Actions

Siasa Place, through its “Wall of Fame” initiative, spotlights local actors championing accountability and development. According to the Siasa Place, Abenengo CBO met all criteria for recognition – including community engagement, sustained advocacy, and measurable impact.

The improved road has already seen increased activity. School buses, farm produce trucks, and public transport operators now use the route daily, reducing travel time and vehicle damage.

Established in 2019, Abenengo CBO focuses on community mobilization, civic education, and service delivery advocacy. This is their most visible achievement to date, but according to Ouma, it’s just the beginning.

“This recognition is a fuel station for us. We’re now looking at water access, youth empowerment, and waste management in Funyula. We’ll keep pushing,” he said.

Siasa Place officials urged other CBOs across the country to follow Abenengo’s example, noting that many issues faced by Kenyans can be addressed when communities organize, document, and demand change.

As the sun sets over Funyula, the once-forgotten road now stands as a red-dusted ribbon of hope – a reminder that even the most rural corners of Kenya can rise, one voice at a time.