Why I file court cases that don’t benefit me – Bunge la Mwananchi president Francis Awino
Francis Awino, the president of Bunge la Mwananchi, has shed light on the complicated process he goes through as an activist to file a petition in court.
Awino detailed the steps he takes from initial complaints to court action, highlighting the challenges and diligence required in his role.
Complaints from ordinary Mwananchi
“The very first step is to listen to the people,” Awino explained.
If something is wrong, you will hear the ordinary mwananchi (citizens) complaining about it.
If I hear consistent complaints about a person, company or organisation, it tells me that there might be a problem worth investigating.
Fact finding
Once he has identified a potential problem, Awino embarks on a thorough fact-finding mission.
“This stage can take between one and two months, depending on the nature of the case. It involves gathering evidence, interviewing affected parties and verifying the validity of the complaints,” he says.
Exhausting mechanisms
After gathering sufficient evidence, Awino engages the relevant government agencies.
“I start by involving the relevant authorities, which may include the police or regulatory bodies. The aim is to see if the issue can be resolved through existing channels,” he said.
This step is crucial as it demonstrates a commitment to due process and gives the authorities an opportunity to address the issue.
Going to court
If the authorities fail to take appropriate action within a reasonable period of time, usually two months, Awino then files a petition in court.
“I give them two months to act, but if nothing is done, I go to court. Filing a petition involves paying the necessary fees and complying with the court’s procedural requirements,” he explains.
He says it is his passion to fight for the common mwananchi.
“I was elected president of Bunge la Mwananchi to give voice to their struggles and challenges,” Awino told Nairobi News.
One of the cases filed by Awino is that of the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) CEO, whose account was frozen on May 22, 2024, for 21 days to allow the anti-graft body to complete investigations into corruption and alleged procurement irregularities.