Mzalendo is Kenya’s non-partisan parliamentary monitoring organization dedicated to making lawmaking open, inclusive, and accountable. Founded in 2005 by Ory Okolloh and Conrad Akunga and registered as Mzalendo Trust in 2013, it grew out of a civic push to track parliamentary performance and widen public participation after the 2010 Constitution. The organization documents the work of the National Assembly and Senate—capturing MPs’ biographies and contributions, bills, motions, statements, petitions, votes, committee business and county development fund use—so citizens can scrutinize their representatives. It publishes parliamentary scorecards, runs the People’s Shujaaz Awards to celebrate citizen‑nominated champions.
Through civic‑tech, Mzalendo lowers barriers to participation. Its Dokeza platform crowdsources public input on draft laws and channels memoranda to Parliament, a model formally acknowledged by both Houses. The organization complements data with research and advocacy, including studies on youth and women’s participation in the 11th and 12th Parliaments, public opinion polling on constitutional debates, and sustained campaigns for legislative openness.
Since 2020 Mzalendo has broadened its work to include political parties and regional collaborations, and contributes to Open Government Partnership efforts in the region. Its core audience spans citizens, civil society, journalists and reform‑minded legislators. By turning parliamentary activity into accessible information and practical avenues for engagement, Mzalendo strengthens accountability and deepens democratic participation in Kenya.