Maseno University has partnered with International Budget Partnership Kenya (IBPK) to set up platform for dialogue on county planning and budgeting for the entire western region.
Dean of School of Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Felix Kioli said that universities will play key role in matters of academia as well as unravel matters of devolution and county government.
"We want to engage in research with devolved system of government, offer consultations and have a debate on matters of constitution," He added.
"Our main role as academicians will be to inform the public since we realized the public has been left out strongly on matters of devolution," He added.
Speaking to the press at Maseno University yesterday Dr. Kioli said that the common citizen has to be aware of what is going within the system, they cannot realize it unless they are informed.
"We know there are a lot of problems in the county governments. When we collaborate with them through this platform as academicians we can play a big role in evaluation, monitoring, strategic development, in research and advocacy,” he said.
IBPK Country manager Jason Lakin said that through such platform the institutions can capacity build and encourage further dialogue to county and regional economic development.
Dr. Lakin said that such platform has been before in partnership with Taita-Taveta University College in Taita-Taveta County.
The meeting involved stakeholders from the county government, civil society, university and media fraternity for people to discuss the budget expectations and planning in Kisumu for the last two years of devolution.