Lack of citizen participation and proper information channels during budget making are some of the challenges hindering the devolution process in Kisumu County.
Based on a report to be launched on March 20 on successful devolution in Kisumu and Isiolo counties, Cordaid Coordinator Eric Makokha says that they discovered the main challenge is getting communities to participate in identifying the solutions to concerns they have.
Speaking to journalists in Kisumu, Makokha said that the program objective is to achieve effective participation and accountable county government in Kisumu and Isiolo.
"We felt we want to contribute in enhancing community participation in devolution. We believe strongly devolution is a golden chance that has come for Kenya," said Makokha.
He added: "If we do not address citizen participation challenges, then we might go in circles dealing with that particular problem."
Makokha said that one of the critical things with public participation is that access to information which sometimes lacks in the county governments.
"Sometimes the public is presented with documents of 200 pages on the budget allocation bill. Even if you are learned or an economic expert, it becomes a challenge to analyse the document in 20 minutes and give meaningful contributions," he added.
Makokha said, "We would like the citizens of Kisumu to hold us as the project implementers to anchor this project. At the end of the three years, we would like to see the implementation of the laws supporting devolution."