A revolutionary idea is shaping up in Makueni County that has set tongues wagging. Governor Kivutha Kibwana’s novel model of “public participation” has confounded friends and foe as it begins to roll out barely a year before the next General Election.
In this the model, a six-tier process of engaging the people of Makueni in county decision-making and planning is being implemented by the county executive’s Department of Devolution and Public Service.
Although area leaders are sharply divided as to its value, it is unarguably the first of its kind in the country, perhaps even the continent.
“Essentially, the model targets to involve all Makueni residents in decision making on projects they Read More
The World Bank has lauded a model that allows local people in Makueni County decide which development project to embark on and then manage these projects once they are commissioned. It noted that Makueni’s model of public participation includes, not only identification of projects, but also the full involvement of residents during implementation. This novel model is recognised in a study commissioned by World Bank, ‘Kenya Accountable Devolution Programme.’
World Bank representative Annette Amolo acknowledged this novelty when she attended a forum in Wote town where public participation was documented. “Makueni is by far ahead of the others. They have excellent public participation structures from the village level upwards which also includes implementation of projects. Compared to others, that is a high level of participation which should be emulated by other counties,” she observed. The World Bank has been involved Read More
Public participation, such as on budgets, is not well publicised in Embu, residents have said.
They said invitations are sent to a few hand-picked people, which is why the budget is usually not peoplefriendly.
They spoke in Kiritiri at a forum organised by Fahamu Africa.
Source: The Star, Kenya http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/09/24/public-forums-concealed_c1425612