Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has said lack of proper policy on public participation has contributed to poor turn out in public participation forums in counties.
Kinyanjui, who was speaking Friday morning at a Nakuru hotel during a forum for County Government of Nakuru Executive and Nakuru civil society organizations forum, said members of the public consider public participation forums a public relations exercise.
“About 95% of counties have no structured way of carrying out public participation forums. This has led to initiation of projects that end up facing resistance from members of the public,” he said.
The governor added: “Civil society organizations play a critical role in reaching out to members of the public at grassroots level and thus their contribution and co-operation with devolved governments cannot be over looked.”
The county boss vowed to work with civil society to ensure full participation of the public in decision making when it comes to development.
“We will work closely, but I challenge members of the CSOs to have internal discipline when it comes to handling matters oversight on county governments,” he said.
Deputy Governor Dr. Erick Korir said environmental conservation is one area that county governments will partner with civil society organizations.
Cornelius Oduor from the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance said it was a great honor that the county government of Nakuru had agreed to involve them in the course of its work including creating a CSO liaison office to ease flow of information.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Bancy Kubutha from the Centre for Transformational Leadership.