For Kenyan corporates, social responsibility plays a crucial role in their businesses.
Most of them commit a share of their revenues to help communities for social impact as they get a social operating license in return.
However, as this culture continues to take root, the beneficiaries have a role to play in these projects, majorly by being responsible for safeguarding the projects and owing them as theirs.
Such a move would create an environment whereby all the entities involved stand a chance for a win-win situation.
The move would further maximise the benefits of the projects, thereby reaching more people or having a stronger impact.
For instance, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic companies like Safaricom and KenGen undertook CSR projects by donating water tanks.
To enable societies to benefit from these projects, safeguarding the resources remains paramount.
That way, the intended impact of the projects will be more effective and long-lasting than in a scenario where no or less responsibility is present.
While doing so, the organisations should also embrace the culture of public participation in making decisions on the type of projects to set up.
This participation will enable the communities to adopt the projects as their own.
Moreover, community participation in CSR projects will enable the organisations to maximize impact since the communities can identify the best projects that fit their needs.
Embu
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
