MAENDELEO YETUPROJECT ZONAL DIALOGUE

Shinyanga, Tanzania – 29 July 2025 – KIOO, in partnership with WAJIBU, convened a high-impact public dialogue in Shinyanga under the Maendeleo Yetu Project, bringing together citizens, government leaders, civil society organizations, and development stakeholders to reflect on the project achievements, discuss the barriers facing women, youth, and persons with disabilities in electoral processes, and address the devastating effects of corruption in elections.

The dialogue created a rare, open space for direct engagement between citizens and decision-makers on how to strengthen the inclusion of marginalized groups in democratic processes, protect their political rights, and ensure that leaders remain accountable to the people.
KIOO representative, Mr. Albert Ntibhansiga emphasized that The Maendeleo Yetu Project has shown that citizen participation in electoral matters drives transparency and accountability. But we still face significant challenges, including election-related corruption, limited civic education, and environments that are far from enabling for marginalized groups to engage fully.

Representing WAJIBU, the organization spokesperson stressed that corruption in elections not only undermines the legitimacy of results but also erodes citizens trust in democratic systems. They called for stronger collaboration among law enforcement bodies, political actors, and civil society to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.

Participants praised the Maendeleo Yetu Project for amplifying citizen voices and spotlighting systemic and operational hurdles to inclusive participation. Issues raised included inadequate access to accurate election information, poor infrastructure for persons with disabilities, and safety concerns during campaign periods and voting days. This Shinyanga dialogue is part of a national series of citizen forums under the Maendeleo Yetu Project, which is being implemented across multiple regions in Tanzania. Its mission is to strengthen transparency, promote inclusive citizen participation, and foster community-led monitoring of democratic processes — building a society with accountable leaders who prioritize public interest.

Dialogue participants in a picture

One of beneficiary giving her testmony