The Executive Director of the NGO coordination Board Ambassador Peter Ole Nkuraiyia today paid a courtesy call to Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), an NGO that has pioneered the use of ICTs to empower grassroots communities. The courtesy call was part of a new shift by the Board towards reaching out to NGOs and moving away from the situation where it has been viewed as patronizing by some NGOs. “We have adopted an open policy in order to explore ways of strengthening the NGO sector as partners in national development” Ambassdor Nkuraiyia said.

He noted that NGOs control more than Kshs. 100 billion.

The Regional Director of ALIN, Mr. James Nguo briefed him about ALIN’s work particularly the concept of Maarifa (Knowledge) centres that the NGO has pioneered as a way of taking ICTs to marginalized communities. In the centres all located in remote areas, a range of technologies that include broadband internet, iPods, CD ROMS and publications are available to community members. The centres are spread across East Africa and they all electronically linked as a way of ensuring that information, particularly relating to agriculture and environment and other livelihood issues can be shared between communities.

Esther Lungahi, Project Officer ALIN show Amb. Nkuraiyia a climate change film from an IPodInformation at Maarifa centres is offered free of charge. ALIN employs field officers all young people who have been trained in use of ICT to support communities to access needed information. The field officers also support communities to document best practices which are then shared between communities using publications, the Internet - including video clips, blogs and Web 2.0 tools.

Most recently, ALIN has began piloting the Commodities Resource Platform that farmers in Ng’arua near Nyahururu will be using a web-based portal and SMS to share market information including prices of commodities and bidding online. “ALIN’s experience has been that the livelihoods of communities can be greatly enhanced by information. This is why part of our mission is to connect communities with knowledge”, says Mr. Nguo. “With the landing of the fibre optic cable, we hope to enter into private public partnerships to strengthen communities’ access to information through Maarifa Centres in East Africa.”

Other issues to be addressed by the NGO bureau include:

* Receiving annual returns detailing projects undertaken and funds expended (book of accounts) of NGOs. The Board is a link between NGOs and the Government
* Ensuring that NGOs remain true to their missions
* Conflict resolution both within NGOs and between NGOs and host communities
* Vetting NGOs on behalf of potential donors
* Vetting foreigners applying for work permits and recommending action to the immigration department