Empowering Change: The Impact of TISA's TUNU Project in Uasin Gishu and Baringo Counties. In the heart of the Kenya's NorthRift Regional Economic Block, a powerful transformation is taking place through the Tupigane Na Ufisadi (TUNU) project; a testament to the impact of partnerships, collaboration and capacity-building of the local Civil Society Organizations. Led by The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), the initiative is driving change by empowering Local CSOs to play an active role in promoting transparency and accountability in county governance. When the TUNU project first engaged with the CSO actors under Cluster 2 (Uasin Gishu and Baringo counties), a significant gap on the practice of social accountability, budget literacy and advocacy skills was evident. Unlike Baringo County CSO Forum who had established substantial strides in accountability advocacy and engaging with key duty bearers, the Uasin Gishu County CSO network was still in the early stages, thus required additional capacity strengthening. Recognizing this disparity, TISA encouraged and facilitated continued engagement and partnership between Uasin Gishu and the Baringo CSOs to enhance growth. Leveraging on a well-established relationship with the International Budget Partnerships (IBP), the Baringo CSO Forum linked the UGCSO network to the Rift valley Budget Hub and as a result, Uasin Gishu county will be onboarded as a county member of the Hub and some of the CSO network members will be trained as budget champions by end of August 2024. This peer-to-peer support and shared learning is not only setting the stage for transformative progress but also marking a significant step forward in building the capacity of the UG CSO network to effectively advocate for transparency and accountability in budget processes. Understanding the budget is key in Social Accountability, as it empowers citizens and CSOs to scrutinize how public resources are allocated and spent. Equipped with the budget knowledge therefore, CSOs can hold the government officials/the duty bearers accountable, ensuring that funds are used for their intended purposes and that public services meet the needs of the community. This knowledge is vital in the fight against corruption, as it helps to identify and challenge financial mismanagement, misuse of funds, and other corrupt practices. Additionally, CSOs can demand greater transparency and advocate for effective governance, contributing to a culture of accountability that is essential in fighting corruption. The CSOs journey of empowerment continued beyond the capacity-building. In Uasin Gishu County, the release of the County Budget Transparency Survey (CBTS) report for 2023 served as a wake-up call when the CSO network realized that their county was ranked at 45 out of 47 Counties in Kenya. Motivated by their newly acquired knowledge and skills imparted by TISA and the pressing need for change, the network formed a team to analyze the CBTS report. The team identified key areas of concern and engaged with the county Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM) Finance and Economic Planning, seeking clarifications on why the transparency guidelines were not being adhered to. Their efforts yielded positive results. The CEC responded by ensuring that the relevant budget documents were uploaded onto the county’s website, a crucial step towards improving transparency. With the newly uploaded budget documents, the CSO network plans to conduct a thorough analysis to identify potential areas of mismanagement and ensure that public funds are being utilized effectively. With the availability of the documents, they have analyzed and used the information to engage county officials on the ongoing public participation for ADP 2025/2026 to push for greater transparency and accountability in future budget allocations. The members have shared some incomplete projects, and the officials committed to doing a physical audit with them soon. Furthermore, the first meeting held between the county governor Hon. Dr. Jonathan Bii and the Uasin Gishu CSOs created a pathway to hosting more of annual governor’s roundtable meetings with the county executive members and the CSOs to discuss county’s transparency and accountability. The success of this initiative underscores the significance of partnerships and the sharing of knowledge, learnings, and best practices among different actors. The collaboration between Baringo and Uasin Gishu CSOs, facilitated by TISA, exemplifies how collective efforts can lead to meaningful change. By leveraging the strengths and experiences of each other, these CSOs have built a robust network that is poised to drive sustained impact in their respective counties. As we celebrate this progress, it is important to acknowledge the resilience and commitment of the Uasin Gishu and Baringo CSOs. Over the past year, they have fostered a partnership that not only bridges gaps in capacity but also strengthens their collective voice in advocating for transparency and accountability. Their journey is a powerful reminder that when communities come together with a shared purpose, they can overcome challenges and create lasting change. Through the dedication of TISA and the collaborative spirit of the local CSOs, the TUNU project is paving the way for a more transparent and accountable governance landscape in Kenya's counties. This story of empowerment, partnership, and progress serves as an inspiration for other regions, highlighting the profound impact of grassroots initiatives in shaping the future of governance. Co-written by Sonia Aima and Benedine Kipruto.