Kitui County Government has had difficulties in streamlining public participation in the county alleging the exorbitant budgetary allocation in the draft bill and other pressing county needs such as water, health which they have in turn channeled more funds towards addressing. This move has dragged the institutionalization of public participation within the county which is key in realizing the development projects.
In a statement by Kitui County Governor Mr. Julius Malombe, he noted that his government prioritizes allocating funds on development projects considered as very urgent in the county such as water and health which would have a greater impact to the lives and wellbeing of citizens as compared to allocating 1% of the county’s budget to Public Participation.’’
Intervention from PEN Kenya
PEN Kenya in partnership with the Kitui CSO network, UNDP and other development partners initiated the push for drafting and adoption of Kitui County Public Participation Bill.
While paying a courtesy call to the County Department of Decentralized units to establish a formal engagement framework between Kitui County Government and the Kitui CSO network. PEN KENYA and UNDP’S local implementing partners were able to discuss the enactment of the public participations Bill, including drafting of an MOU for collaboration between the County Government and the Kitui CSO network.
The Public Participation Bill of 2023 was drafted by Kitui CSO network together with the County Solicitor while PEN KENYA provided the financial support towards its review process. This Bill was presented to the CSO network during the Biannual County review meeting also facilitated by PEN Kenya to allow for more input and incorporation of the views of the citizen/participants.
The reviewed draft bill was submitted to the CECM Decentralized units through the County Solicitor to present it to the County cabinet and County Assembly for further discussion and eventual enactment into law.
The CECM drafted a memo for presenting the bill to the Cabinet before it goes to the county assembly and when passed, it will strengthen participation of citizens in the county governance affairs as well as improving civic education and access to information to the citizens.
The CECM further welcomed future collaboration with the CSO network and the local development partners in other sectors such as in water and health.
We appreciate the Kitui county government’s goodwill and their commitment from inception all through to ensure that this initiative becomes a success. PEN Kenya will continue to work with County government to complement its work and enhance better service delivery
