Overview of county level structures for promoting citizen engagement in governance processes

Transcription

1 Overview of county level structures for promoting citizen engagement in governance processes 1

2 Enabling Citizen Engagement From the Constitution to laws on devolution laws -citizen engagement is recognised as a national value and principle of governance in Kenya. 3 provisions are upheld in Kenya s laws accountability and citizen engagement: for social 1. Making information transparent 2. Enabling citizens to participate in local government 3. Holding leaders to account (Legislation to refer to Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, Public Finance Management Act, Urban Areas and Cities Act, County Governments Act, etc)

3 Promoting Citizen Engagement Transparency, disclosure of information and civic education (CGs are - required to proactively disclose information, have a designated office for purposes of ensuring access to information, legislation in place, annual public address by the Governor, on State of the county, timely responses to information requests, provision of civic education etc) Participatory planning (governors responsible for ensuring citizen participation in planning, citizens should be engaged in preparation of CIDPs, county governments develop laws and regulations supporting effective citizen participation in development planning and performance management) Complaints mechanisms/feedback loops (CGs develop complaints mechanisms that are followed up)

4 Continued Financial Transparency Public Financial Management (various budget documents should be published and publicized within laid out times in user friendly formats) Citizen Participation in Budgeting (structure, mechanisms and guidelines for citizen participation in place by CGs, CEC member for finance should ensure citizens are participating, counties shd form County budget and Economic forum, public consulted in preparation of the county fiscal strategy paper, CA take into account public views in considering budget estimates & county budget circular should prescribe the manner in which the public will participate) Participatory Monitoring (each county should establish County Public Service Boards. The boards report to the CA & advising the CGs on the implementation of the national performance management system which should involve citizens facilitated by the CEC) Government responsiveness and accountability to citizens (CGs have a duty to respond to petitions and challenges from citizens. Public authorities should promote accountability, ensure that expenditure of public funds is subject to effective oversight, and promote informed debate on issues of public interest).

5 EDE - CPF & PPG EDE - CPF Calling for policy and practice that makes a more conscious effort to provide the public with information and the use of technology to bridge distances and allow for information and communication Pillar 1 on Peace and Security pushes for citizen engagement with the creation of peace forums Pillar 3 on HC calls for communities to be empowered and actively participating in design and implementation of high impact, low cost social services, including social intelligence reporting Pillar 6 on structures and KM ASAL Stakeholder Forum established. Designed as a place where non-state actors could engage with one another and with the government, to build synergies, strengthen governance and accountability and realise the goals of public participation, accountability, and citizen focused development. PPG Providing an opportunity for CSOs to influence policy at a national level.

6 CSO Initiatives Transparency International Social accountability mechamism in Turkana, West Pokot and Wajir. With other actors and the CGs. The Institute for Social Accountability developed a public participation bill that has been adapted by West Pokot in line with the legislation promoting citizen engagement in Kenya. website with information for the counties and about the counties eg Devolution funds, county platforms, details on the MCA, guidelines, materials etc StARCK+ Climate Adaptation Programme working in Isiolo and Wajir working with established Ward and County Adaptation Planning Committees and County government to conduct broader budgeting of planning processes (to be discussed) TWAWEZA working across the country to promote citizen action through the provision of information focused on education and health through their UWEZO programme RECONCILE and Cordaid- actively in supporting county forums in Narok, Baringo, Pokot and Turkana counties although ASF more focused on co-ordination than voice, issues of depth and sustainability?? DLCI Voice Strategy (not funded) - The implementation of the strategy by DLCI. The change we want to see is that citizens in the drylands are engaging in their own development. That their institutions are accountable. DLCI will work with others all playing a part in engaging citizens in the drylands. DLCI will generate and disseminate quality information, evidence and analysis to citizens.

7 Conclusion The gap between policy and current practice remains wide and there is no enforcement mechanism. CSO are filling the gap but can only do so much. To enable citizen engagement to become practice: 1. Provision of specialized technical assistance and participatory process support to County Governments 2. Counties supported to have the required frameworks for access to information and facilitating public participation and supported to implement processes of participation 3. Citizens having access to correct data to engage and presented in a user friendly way (e.g. citizen friendly budgets to engage more with budget process) 4. Capacity of citizens built to enable them engage effectively in the affairs of the county through civic education programmes 5. Link up with existing institutions like the ASF and help shape them to promote citizen engagement 6. Counties need to build their human resource at all levels to foster citizen engagement