Nairobi, 3rd August 2024
Nairobi City County conducted a Public Participation Forum on the County Agricultural Sector Steering and Coordination Mechanism (CASSCOM) Bill, 2024 and the Animal Control and Welfare Bill.
The CASSCOM Bill aims at establishing the County’s Agriculture Sector Steering and Coordination Committee and to facilitate and enhance coordination, cooperation and consultation among agriculture sector stakeholders in the county. The formation of Nairobi City County Agriculture Sector Steering and Coordination Committee is aligned with the Intergovernmental Relations Act 2012 (23).
The Animal Control and Welfare Act Bill intends to put in place guidelines to restrain and control animals in the City and in so doing protect residents from physical, medical, psychological and environmental harm as they relate with animals. Animals would also be protected by measures in this Bill from harm posed by human activities and lifestyles in the large population density contained in the county.
County Executive Committee Member for Inclusivity, Public participation and customer service Dr Anastasia Nyalita said, “Public participation is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution stating that all citizens in Kenya have the right to participate and it is their civic obligation to engage in all county governance processes. We want to thank the members of the Public for showing up to give their opinions as urban agriculture is one of the strong pillars of Nairobi City County and I want to assure you that all the views will be included, factored in and utilized.”
County Chief Officer for Agriculture Ms. Gladwell Cheruiyot said,” I want to thank all for participating in this important exercise as it brings together all agricultural stakeholders to decide on matters agriculture in Nairobi City County. My main objective is to try and make the food we have in Nairobi is safe. I commit to you to always consult with you to ensure the sector initiatives turns out successful.”
The Director Public Participation Mr. Patrick Ang’asa stated that public participation is a national value found in article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya and thus very key. He highlighted that both physical meetings and digital spaces are opportunities embraced by the County Government of Nairobi for the Public Participation exercise. The Civic Voices Organizations facilitated public participation via the digital space.
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