AMKA “Stay Woke” Forum Addresses County Governance Challenges, Proposes Solutions
The AMKA “Stay Woke” Citizens Accountability Forum, held on December 10, 2024, at the International Leadership University in Nairobi, launched the much-anticipated Kenya Counties Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability (CITA) Report, 2024.
The report, which focuses on enhancing citizen involvement in county governance, reveals critical insights into the state of transparency and accountability across 11 counties in Kenya.
The comprehensive study surveyed 1,087 respondents across counties including Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, Kajiado, Kisumu, Mombasa, Machakos, Makueni, Kakamega, Kilifi, and Marsabit. The report highlights both notable achievements and serious challenges in governance, especially concerning budgetary allocations, public participation, and accountability.
Key Findings from the Report:
The findings of the CITA report exposed significant gaps in how counties manage transparency. One of the standout issues was the disparity in citizens’ awareness of county budgets. While counties such as Makueni, Nairobi, and Kiambu scored well for making budget information accessible to the public, other counties, like Marsabit, recorded alarmingly low awareness, with only 25% of the population knowledgeable about local budget allocations.
Public participation, a cornerstone of democratic governance, also showed mixed results. While counties such as Nairobi demonstrated effective platforms for citizen engagement, regions like Kilifi and Kajiado faced challenges in fostering active participation due to infrastructural limitations and low internet penetration, which hindered access to crucial government documents.
The study called for better dissemination of budget information to foster transparency and enhance citizen involvement in decision-making processes.
A major takeaway from the forum was the urgent need for stronger political commitment to transparency and accountability. The report called for counties to establish more robust mechanisms to ensure officials are held accountable for their decisions, especially in the allocation of funds. While some counties have made progress in creating open platforms, many still lack the infrastructure or political will to enforce meaningful accountability.
One of the more innovative aspects of the report is the introduction of the County Governance Index, which ranks counties based on six indices: water, health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and integrity. This tool is designed to offer a comprehensive view of county governance and service delivery, making it easier for citizens to track the performance of their local governments.
Highlighting Successful Models
Speakers at the forum praised counties like Makueni, where digital platforms have made budget data easily accessible to the public. Makueni’s initiative is seen as a model for other counties to emulate, demonstrating the potential of technology to improve transparency and citizen engagement.
However, challenges in counties like Kilifi and Kajiado, where public participation remains low, were also highlighted. In these areas, limited access to information and inadequate dissemination channels have prevented citizens from fully participating in governance processes.
The report also addressed the broader political context of governance, particularly the implementation of constitutional mandates on public finance management. Speakers at the forum emphasized the need to separate the treasury from political influence to prevent corruption and mismanagement of public funds. They urged county governments to adopt professional, non-partisan approaches to managing public finances in order to curb theft and ensure funds are used for their intended purposes.
In his closing remarks, a key speaker called for urgent action to address the governance challenges highlighted in the report. He urged county governments and citizens alike to work collaboratively to improve transparency, accountability, and service delivery.
“With the right mechanisms in place, we can ensure that counties deliver better services, provide greater accountability, and foster a more transparent relationship with citizens,” he said.
The AMKA “Stay Woke” Citizens Accountability Forum emphasized the role of citizens in driving positive change in county governance. As counties continue to grapple with these challenges, the findings and recommendations from the CITA report provide a roadmap for improving local governance and promoting transparency in Kenya’s counties.
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