Nairobi, 13th September 2024
Nairobi City County will soon launch the Civic Education, Public Participation and Citizen Engagement status report aimed at assessing the effectiveness of public participation initiatives and identify gaps that hinder meaningful civic engagement in Nairobi.
County Executive Committee Member in charge of Inclusivity, Public Participation and Customer Service Ms. Rosemary Kariuki speaking at the validation meeting of the report stated that this initiative is an imperative undertaking cognizant of the heightened demand by the public for meaningful and adequate public participation and it will also deepen collaboration between government and non-state actors in improving civic education efforts in the county leading to meaningful participation.
Said Ms. Rosemary,” This document serves as a critical resource for policymakers, civil society organizations, and the public, providing actionable insights to strengthen civic education and public participation frameworks in the County. It will primarily seek to reconfigure the public participation, civic education and citizen engagement processes and ensure there is adequate and inclusive engagement of the people.”
County Chief Officer for Public participation, Citizen engagement and Customer Service Ms. Zipporah Mwangi said, “By setting a new standard for governance, Nairobi County could become a model for other counties, demonstrating the power of inclusive, participatory, and transparent governance. This transformation will not only improve service delivery but also enhance the overall quality of life for residents, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the community. Through sustained commitment to these principles, the county will be able to build a more dynamic, engaged, and resilient community, ready to meet the challenges of the future.”
The Director Public Participation Mr. Patrick Angasa said, “By addressing the existing challenges and gaps, and developing a comprehensive multi-sector approach our aim is to make public participation more efficient, inclusive, and meaningful for all citizens. I want to emphasize that deliberate involvement of the citizens in all affairs that concern them is only a rational recognition that they mostly understand their needs and possible solutions.”
The Validation meeting was also attended by Members of County Assembly who serve at the Culture and Community services committee. Through their Chair Hon. Clarence Munga they stressed out that the citizens and residents of Nairobi have a right to participate and it is their civic obligation to engage in all governance and development processes that afford them genuine opportunities to hold public officers to account.
Also in attendance were Hon. Jared Akama, Hon Samson Jera, Hon Mwaora Samora,Hon Davidson Ngibuini, Assistant Director administration Mr. Joseph Kamau and Non State actors including County Governance Watch (CGW), Kenya Alliance of Residential Associations (KARA), Mzalendo Trust, Kenya Paraplegic Organization (KPO), Civic Voices, Ecumenical Center for Justice and Peace, Katiba Institute, Center for Economic Governance among others.
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