BACKGROUND INFORMATION
From one Centre in 2006 to 4 Centers in 2019, Western Chapter has tremendously grown and we are currently at 35+ community driven Social Justice Centres with higher growth projections in a few years time. Nyando Human Rights Development Network [NYAHURIADEN] was the first Social JusticeCentre to be established in the Western Chapter with support from Kituo Cha Sheria in 2006.This was followed by the establishment of Magharibi Community Justice Centre in December 2018 , Kondele Social Justice Centre & Kondele Community Justice Centre on 20 th February2019 bringing the total number to 4.
The first Working Group meeting was held on 9th May 2019 , a few days after a training by the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders on HRDs Security Management &; MDR Training held from 29 th April to 3 rd May 2019 at the Victoria Comfort Hotel in Kisumu. The movement has grown and currently we have more than 35 Social Justice Centres spread across the former Nyanza region ; in Kisumu County[ 11 SJCs ], Kakamega County [ ], Vihiga County[ ], Homabay County [ ], Migori County [5 SJCs ], Siaya County [ ] with a membership of more than 300 Comrades. Other subsequent Working Group meetings were held monthly in rotational basis where the centres were the host.The need for having a constitution to guide members conduct , admission of the new upcoming centres and election of the Chapter leadership came in handy as the growth was rapid and without a binding document , we were bound to have constant conflicts which had to be prevented early.
CHAPTER CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESS
During a Working Group meeting held in Magharibi CJC in 2020, a team was formed to draft the constitution and share in the subsequent meeting for discussion and adoption . This process took much time than expected as some members did not want to be held accountable by a having a binding document in place but rather wanted to operate as big brothers /sisters.Nevertheless , the Chapter Constitution was adopted at a meeting convened at the Great Lakes Hotel for the Norwegian supported GBV Project where the then leadership creatively ensured that all the Convenors in the Working Group were available to attend and meet thereafter. The constitution was debated and adopted to pave way for the elections .
ELECTION OF THE CHAPTER STEERING COMMITTEE
An Elections ad-hoc Committee was formed after a call was sent out . The committee comprised of 7 Comrades with diverse backgrounds . Those who vied for the vacant positions paid a Registration fee of 1,000/= each which they used for a few logistics and printing of the ELECTIONS CERTIFICATE . They held their meetings and settled on the Elections date which was held at Magharibi Community Justice Centre in July 2021 for a two year renewable period.
Those elected were ;
ACHIEVEMENTS
CHALLENGES
