MEET NOMINEE 3 OF 6 IN THE UPCOMING HRD OF THE YEAR CATEGORY – ITEN INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (IIEC) CBO

Iten Integrated Environmental Conservation (IIEC) is the secretariat of the Elgeyo Marakwet CSO network composed of 54 CSOs spread across the county. It was registered as a CBO on 10/05/2012 and draws its membership from individuals and self-help groups. Their vision is to be the leading agent in community transformation in livelihoods, poverty eradication, enhanced capacities, good governance, social justice, environmental and water conservation, and resilience in Elgeyo Marakwet County and beyond. 

The CBO aims to enhance the capacities of their communities on environmental issues and the link between poverty and the environment. It also deals with environmental justice, human rights and advocating for Human Rights Based Approach in programming and good governance

IIEC has engaged in many activities, including tree planting and providing remedies to the recurrent environmental disasters in Elgeyo Marakwet, such as landslides, droughts, drying of lake Kamnarok, dwindling forest cover, unsustainable agricultural practices, erratic rainfall, famine and poverty.

IIEC has conducted 10 social audits and 15 community scorecards to exert accountability on government funded projects. This has yielded results in terms of corrective actions and minimized pilferage of public resources. It has also trained its civic educators on chapter four of the constitution on human rights. Since its inception, the IIEC has monitored and reported human rights violations such as defilement and misappropriation of funds. Through the CBO, 10 cases of misuse of funds have been reported to EACC. IIEC has organized demonstrations and petitions to compel the government to take corrective action. These are; Kocholwo on police brutality, Iten on overcharging of traders, Sengwer on the provision of electricity and Kapkitony on impassable roads. In the run-up to the Elections, IIEC conducted civic and voter education, enlightening voters on the contents of the constitution as well as the voting process.

IIEC believes that education is one single weapon that can change a society. Through its well educated and resourceful members, the CBO has been engaging in motivational talks in Secondary and Primary Schools. They provide moral support, inspiration, and advice on behaviour change, children’s rights, life skills, choosing careers and succeeding in exams.