Our work
Across our programmes, Siasa Place supports youth participation, accountable governance, fairer digital work, and safer civic spaces.
Pillar 01
The programme promotes governance and citizen engagement at the local level, fostering transparency and empowerment within communities.
Supported by the Heinrich Böll Foundation
An open consortium that brings together young and progressive leaders from grassroots communities, civil society organisations, political parties, trade unions and the private sector. It advances social democracy, gender justice, good governance and accountability through a youth-centred lens.
Supported by the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy
Strengthens meaningful engagement of young men and women aged 18-35 in political and governance processes, so that youth priorities are reflected in policies, budgets and decision-making in Homa Bay County.
Supported by the Ford Foundation
Imara Africa is a one-year leadership programme implemented in partnership with Africa Youth Leadership Forum and Mark Appeal. It brings together young people from across the country to build the knowledge and skills needed to approach public service as service. Graduates champion meaningful public participation and responsive national and county governments.
Supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
This programme strengthens youth participation in governance across six counties. It trains community youth leaders, student leaders, social administrators, and political party youth leagues to use their platforms for civic engagement, and creates opportunities for dialogue with leaders through community barazas and county- and national-level forums. An Office of the Citizen committee follows up on key governance concerns raised by young people.
Supported by ForumCiv
Strengthens informed, peaceful and inclusive participation by young people aged 18 to 35 in Kenya's democratic and electoral processes ahead of the 2027 general elections. Working with Bunge Mashinani, it supports youth civic educators and Youth Bunge platforms in Nairobi, Nakuru, Meru, Embu and Kiambu through civic education, peace dialogues, digital literacy and accountability forums with duty bearers.
Supported by UNDP Kenya
Works with young people aged 18 to 35, especially young women and youth at risk of exclusion, to build their capacity, voice and agency to take part in democratic processes, bring evidence to duty bearers through dialogue and advocacy, and help make governance more responsive.
Convenings supported by Open Society Foundations
A network of youth groups and youth-focused organisations working nationally and in communities, convened by Siasa Place, Tribeless Youth, Pawa 254 and Agenda Kenya. It brings diverse youth voices together so that young people take part meaningfully and inclusively in development processes.
Run with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation
A youth creative competition that gives young people aged 18 to 30 across Kenya a platform to share their perspectives through essay writing, spoken word and creative illustration, under four themes: Identity, Governance, Digital Rights and Economic Opportunity.
Siasa ya ID is a civic advocacy initiative by Siasa Place that raises awareness about challenges in Kenya's national identity registration process. Through community engagement, personal experiences and public advocacy, the initiative amplifies the voices of people facing barriers to obtaining their IDs and calls for a fairer, more accessible and accountable registration process. It highlights the importance of identification in accessing essential services, opportunities and full participation in civic life.
Pillar 02
Promoting fair labour, advancing safer digital spaces for women’s political participation, and combating digital threats to democracy.
Ethical Tech Ecosystem for Human Rights (ETHER) works towards a safe, empowering, and human-rights-compliant labour market in Kenya’s tech and related industries. With support from the Ford Foundation, Siasa Place advocates for recognition of digital labour as work and for workers’ access to its protections and benefits. The project also spotlights challenges in content moderation in Kenya and advocates for regulation that ensures technology companies respect, protect, and promote human rights.
In collaboration with Deutsche Welle Akademie and Code for Africa, TrustLab supports grassroots organisations in Mombasa, Lamu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Homa Bay, and Busia to identify and address digital threats that could undermine democracy at county and national levels.
Supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Works with churches, mosques, interfaith networks and youth peace champions to monitor and respond to digital threats in their communities, bringing faith networks into grassroots monitoring of hate speech, incitement, disinformation and gender-based digital violence in Nairobi, Nakuru, Homa Bay, Busia, Lamu and Mombasa.
Supported by the Gerda Henkel Foundation
Brings together social media influencers, regulators, civil society and youth groups to agree on shared standards for responsible political communication online, ahead of Kenya's 2027 elections. Siasa Place leads civic education and youth work, with BAKE, KICTANet and Baraza Media Lab.
Pillar 03
Engage with our youth employability, skilling, and mentorship programme, focused on enhancing career prospects, skill development, and leadership guidance for young individuals.
At Siasa Place we believe in the transformative power of mentorship. Our dedicated support for community-based organisations encompasses every critical aspect of their development, ensuring they are well-equipped to thrive in a competitive landscape. We walk alongside young people, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed.
One-on-one mentorship covers:
Since our inception, we have supported over 20 youth organisations and guided four youth consortiums through the challenges of launching and sustaining successful ventures. Our holistic approach helps them thrive, contribute to the economy, and create positive social impact.
Supported by the Hewlett Foundation, the WritAfrica Mentorship Program develops storytelling skills among young people. It connects emerging writers, spoken word artists, and illustrators with mentors to grow their creative talents. Through storytelling, participants engage with governance issues, promote social accountability, and document advocacy efforts. The programme also supports community-level engagement, helping young people identify local issues and shape strategies for positive change.
Supported by American Jewish World Service
Strengthens youth-led organisations and movements so they can lead advocacy, campaigns and democratic engagement safely and effectively, through mentorship, political education and organising training, connecting young activists with experienced civic leaders and helping county groups coordinate on national issues.
A non-partisan national civic movement that brings Kenyan women together around safety, equality, leadership and democratic participation ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Project archive
Earlier projects and programmes. Their details may not reflect current activity.
Fuatilia Ahadi establishes a democratic monitoring system for tracking the implementation of government manifesto promises. Using data-driven tools, it supports evidence-based policy and legislative advocacy for improved governance. The programme tracks county government manifestos and trains county-based youth organisations in budget tracking, issue identification, and advocacy strategy development. Through mentorship, it also strengthens these groups’ capacity to monitor implementation, raise public awareness, and hold leaders accountable to their commitments.
Defend Record Yako fosters collaboration between youth and county governments in planning and implementing ward-level development initiatives. It equips youth leaders with tools and strategies for organising around public participation, strengthening relationships with county leaders, and creating better conditions for meaningful engagement in governance.
Binti na Siasa empowers women in politics and amplifies their voices online and offline. It addresses barriers to women’s representation from national to grassroots levels, advocates for gender-responsive political parties and stronger support for women’s political participation, and works to increase women’s presence and influence in digital spaces.
Workshop held 31 August 2018
Women at Web supports women’s participation and safety online.
Haki Mashinani promotes meaningful youth engagement in civic processes and shares information through digital platforms and other accessible approaches. Working with three county-based organisations, it addresses environmental and governance issues affecting young people, alongside women’s empowerment, in Kericho, Homa Bay, and Siaya counties.
With the Innovation Foundation for Democracy, Shujaa Accountability strengthens civic engagement and local accountability by empowering youth and women through artistic expression and digital platforms. Working with community-based organisations, it uses creativity to spark dialogue, amplify citizen voices, and encourage inclusive participation in Migori, Kakamega, and Mombasa counties.