Public service delivery in Nakuru County has improved since the inception of devolution following partnership between the Civil Society organizations and the public oversight institutions.
This was revealed during evaluation of project on strengthening social accountability for effective service delivery in Nakuru County.
The project was implemented by Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance-CEDGG in collaboration with Residents Associations through funding from the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa-OSIEA.
Addressing members of the Residents Association during the evaluation of the Project, CEDGG Programs Manager Masese Kemunche said the citizens’ apathy coupled with low awareness on civilian oversight mechanisms and channels of reporting on corruption and unethical conduct led to the project.
Other areas that led to the roll out of the project in Nakuru County included the low capacity of CSOs to hold government to account, difficulties in access to information as well as politicization of anti-corruption efforts.
The project objective was to strengthen Residents’ Associations, to improve public service delivery, to institutionalize the Governor’s/Speaker’s Round-table as a civic engagement platform as well as improve access to information.
According to Masese, the project has seen improved public service delivery following the empowerment of the Residents’ Associations on matters budget process, engagement with public oversight institutions.
There has also been Governor’s Round table meetings with CSOs, reflection meetings with County Assembly as well as integration of Media advocacy.
Masese calling on Residents’ Associations to remain firm in ensuring better governance and prudent use of public resources by the duty bearers.
“Through the collaboration with Residents’ Associations we have seen Public Service Delivery in Nakuru County improve. We look forward to more engagements” said Masese.
Similar sentiments echoed by Evans Kibet from CEDGG. According to Kibet, 30 budget memorandums have been presented by Residents’ Associations in financial years 2018/2019, 2019/2020.
In addition, over 40% of the proposals by Residents’ Associations were taken as resolutions in the budgetary process.
He attributes these to the citizens’ empowerment on matters social accountability through the Residents’ Associations at Ward level.
Citizens’ empowerment is paramount in ensuring accountability and proper use of tax payer’s money” said Kibet.
#hivisasaoriginal