KITUO CHA SHERIA BLOG

It was time to retreat and plan again. For Kituo cha Sheria staff, this was the moment to plan and strategize for the next five years. The previous strategic plan had elapsed on 2013 and there was need to develop another plan. This journey started earlier this year with the evaluation of the previous strategic plan. The evaluation enabled the staff with the help of the facilitators to highlight and address some of the pitfalls, success and strengths that could be carried on to the next strategic plan. For the past five years, Kituo cha Sheria has gone through notable achievements; winning awards such as CSOYA award in 2010, Distinguished service award with several other recognitions both locally and internationally. Kituo has had major transformation in its bid for legal empowerment of the poor and the marginalized especially in paralegal work that has captured international headlines such as on BBC and Australia Broadcasting Corporation.

{Kituo staff & All Stakeholders present during the strategic planning at Elementaita Country Lounge}

The Strategic planning started on 14 to 18^thOct. 2014 at Elementaita Country Lounge, located next to Lake Elementaita on the Nairobi – Nakuru highway. As it is the norm, Kituo involved most of its stakeholders; the staff, Board of Directors, AGM members, Volunteer advocates and paralegals in the planning. This was a way to ensure that the views of every player in Kituo’s day to day work is put into consideration. The planning took two day’s rigorous strategizing led by able facilitators; Dr. Abuom and Fred Wakhungu. The second day also saw Kituo staff bid farewell to its long serving Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ken Nyaundi. The evening party was filled with ecstatic mood from all present. The outgoing chairman, Ken Nyaundi could not mince his words as he expressed his praise for Kituo and the period he has served. He could remember the low and the high moments he has had while serving as the Chair of the Board at Kituo.

Anthony Mulekyo (left-Incoming BOD chair) present a gift to Ken Nyaundi (outgoing chair}

Then, while all thought the party had come to a close, the unexpected happened; the lights went off, some commotions while some voices could be heard from the dark singing “Happy birthday dear ED!”. Yes, the admin, under Lydia Awiti, the PA had planned a surprise happy birthday wish to the Kituo ED, Gertrude Angote. It was indeed a exciting moment for everyone as we were all caught unaware.

{Wishing kituo ED, Gertrude Angote (center) a happy birthday}

The culmination of the strategic planning was marked by a team building exercise at the same venue. The exercises were both mind boggling and physical. All of us appreciated the facilitators as we learnt lessons on how to work as a team!

{During the team building}

Congratulations LYDIAH for planning such an eventful activity.