This open CDF (Constituency Development Fund) tracking and mapping website enables Kenyans to easily view all official and on-the-ground details on CDF funded projects in Kibera. KCODA (Kibera Community Development Agenda) monitors submit detailed reports on the real status of projects, and contrasts with officially reported government status,the amount allocated, the contractor involved, photographs, and geographic location.
This evidence based monitoring, combined with the communication power of maps and the web, serves as a powerful advocacy tool for improved accountability of devolved funds in Kenya.
Statement of purpose
While a certain level of corruption goes on everywhere, corruption in Kenya is seen as an endemic problem, a regular part of life.
According to a report by the National Anti-corruption Campaign Steering Committee, many of the CDF tenders are awarded to allies of sitting MPs. The committee also established that there is no serious monitoring and evaluation of the on-going projects initiated through this funds.
The need to combat these problems and promote transparency in CDF funding motivated the development of this app. The tool will not only allow KCODA monitors and residents of Kibera to follow up on projects and report their real status, but will also allow other NGOs, government bodies and individuals to view how their money is spent.
We are targeting Kenya in general and in the ongoing development of this tool, Kenyan transparency organizations and citizens will be able to submit reports, images and videos, and map projects..
The Tech
The site is developed in php/mysql, and the OpenLayers javascript mapping library, and uses OpenStreetMap data. On the public side, the site features a browseable map of projects, search, and individual project pages with official and community details as well as comments. The administrative side
The data was sourced from the Government of Kenya's CDF site, and processed using Ruby into the site database. Reports, photos, and locations by KCODA were added.
The code repository is located at http://gitorious.org/open-cdf-tracking/open-cdf-trackingThe People
This app was programmed by Jamila Amin, and mentored by Mikel Maron. We were greatly assisted by Julius, Anthony and Douglas of KCODA, and inspired by ground breaking transparency projects like InfoNet's Budget Tracking Tool .