Sauti za Wananchi celebrates a decade of empowering citizens across East Africa

Sauti za Wananchi is marking a decade of empowering citizens across East Africa.

Over the past 10 years, this initiative has been pivotal in amplifying the voices of people in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

Launched in 2013 by Twaweza, the project has completed over 125 nationally representative survey rounds, amounting to approximately 74,000 hours of interviews.

Its goal is to ensure that citizens’ experiences and opinions are incorporated into public policy.

Aidan Eyakuze, executive director of Twaweza, underscored the significance of this work:

“Citizens deserve to have their voices heard by those who make decisions affecting their lives. Our Sauti za Wananchi surveys facilitate this process,"stated Eyakuze.

Eyakuze highlighted the initiative’s impact on national conversations and policy changes.

“Since 2013, we have gathered data on citizens' experiences and opinions, presenting these results to both the public and policymakers,"she said.

The data collected has influenced public discourse and contributed to policy adjustments.

For instance, the surveys have highlighted concerns about the economy and inflation, as well as variations in household income sources across the region.

Eyakuze added, “This new compendium of 10 years of Sauti za Wananchi reveals the extensive stories that citizens have to share.”

The findings have also exposed regional disparities, such as Uganda’s lower health insurance coverage compared to Kenya and Tanzania, and differences in access to improved water sources in rural areas.

“Our data allow citizens’ views and experiences to be heard at the national level,” Eyakuze noted, emphasising the initiative’s role in improving governmental responsiveness and service delivery.

The Sauti za Wananchi surveys have been essential in bridging the gap between citizens and policymakers, ensuring that public policies are more closely aligned with the needs and preferences of the population.