Story za Jaba:
From One Story to a Movement for Change
A community-led documentary that turned women’s experiences with substance abuse (muguka) into a public conversation, mobilising citizens to demand action and thereby leading to Kilifi County’s decision to ban the drug.
The Challenge
A growing community problem was being lived, but not sufficiently heard.
Muguka use was affecting families and livelihoods in Kilifi, that led to increased school dropouts, poverty levels and poor feeding as women who were addicted to the drug, were unable to execute their duties as experiencing as caregivers, and breadwinners.
whilst this was common knowledge, their experiences behind the statistics remained largely unheard.
What We Did
Putting Community Voices at the Centre of the Story
Zeinab Zahor spoke to 24 women in Malindi, documenting their experiences with muguka and its impact on families and communities.
Their stories became Story za Jaba, a short documentary created with the support of local CBOs, changemakers, and creatives connected through Maono Space.
Rather than speaking about the community, the film gave people a platform to speak for themselves.
What Changed
A Community Story Became a Catalyst for Public Action
The documentary sparked conversations across Malindi and strengthened calls for action against muguka.
When Governor Gideon Mung’aro watched the film, CBO leaders asked him to act and within a week, a policy was published banning muguka in Kilifi County.
The story moved from community voices → public pressure → political action → to public policy.
The impact
Storytelling Became a Tool for Civic Action
24 Women Heard
Their lived experiences became the foundation of a public conversation.
Community Voices Amplified
Local CBOs, changemakers, and creatives shaped and shared the narrative.
Public Action Mobilised
The film helped turn community concern into a wider call for government action.
Policy Influenced
The documentary became part of the public pressure surrounding Kilifi’s decision to ban muguka.
Why This Matters
When Communities Own Their Stories, They Can Shape the Decisions That Affect Them
Story za Jaba demonstrates the power of locally owned storytelling as a form of active citizenship.
With the right spaces, networks, and platforms, a community member can move an issue from private experience to public conversation and from public conversation to policy debate.