ABSTRACT
Nepal (2010–13) convinced the author of the value of social accountability, and this chapter recounts his work with VSO in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) to train their staff, volunteers and partners in social accountability principles and practices. East African countries have good laws in place for the delivery to citizens of public services and opportunities to participate in governance. However, workshop participants said these laws were not used because they do not trust that they will be implemented. As a result, they fall into disuse and are captured by delinquent government officials who use them to their own advantage.
The author found with difficulty those who had participated in governance meetings – many were unaware that they were taking place, for others they were too far away or in a foreign language – and found them to be consumed by party politicking and favour seeking.
The participants in the workshop had very clear knowledge of how corruption worked, but little optimism that social accountability practices would affect it. In many cases, activist NGO people were abused as troublemakers by government officials. Participants were encouraged by the possibilities of shaming corrupt officials but also apprehensive that they might be attacked for doing so.
