County Assembly Openness (KEKAK0004)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Action plan – Kakamega, Kenya, 2024 – 2027
Inception Report: Not available
Commitment Start: Jan 2025
Commitment End: Jun 2027
Institutions involved:
- Kakamega County Assembly
- Transparency International
Primary Policy Area:
Primary Sector:
OGP Value:
- Technology and Innovation for Transparency and Accountability
Description
Commitment ID
KEKAK0004
Commitment Title
County Assembly Openness
Problem
The commitment to county assembly openness seeks to address the problem of limited transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance. Economically, opaque operations hinder equitable resource allocation, reducing public trust and investment in local development. Socially, lack of openness exacerbates inequality by marginalizing vulnerable groups from decision-making processes. Politically, secrecy in governance fuels corruption undermines democratic principles, and fosters public disillusionment with leadership. Environmentally, poor transparency in planning and oversight may lead to unsustainable exploitation of resources and inadequate responses to environmental challenges. By promoting openness, county assemblies aim to enhance accountability, foster inclusivity, and empower citizens to participate meaningfully in governance, ultimately strengthening democracy, economic equity, and sustainable development.
Status quo
Kakamega County has taken steps to promote transparency and openness in its County Assembly operations. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in legislative activities, including observing proceedings from the public gallery and contributing to committee discussions where citizen input is sought. This inclusivity aligns with efforts to strengthen citizen engagement and ensure legislative processes reflect public needs.
Governor Fernandes Barasa, during the opening of the County Assembly's second session in 2023, highlighted the importance of balancing collaboration between the Assembly and the Executive while maintaining checks and balances. Recent initiatives have focused on ensuring financial prudence, passing crucial legislation like the Ward Development Fund Act, and enhancing service delivery across the county. Additionally, the County Assembly has worked on improving its facilities and processes, including budgeting for a modern assembly chamber to enhance accessibility and efficiency.
Action
County Assembly openness ensures transparency, accountability, and public participation in legislative processes. It involves making information accessible, including agendas, budgets, and session proceedings, and providing opportunities for citizen engagement, such as public hearings and input in policy-making. Openness also includes accountability measures, such as regular reporting and mechanisms for citizen feedback.
Expected Results:
- Improved trust between citizens and the County Assembly.
- Enhanced public participation in governance and decision-making.
- Better oversight of county government operations, reducing corruption.
- Policies and laws that better reflect community needs.
Overall Objective: To establish a participatory democracy where citizens actively influence governance, ensuring transparent resource management and aligning development initiatives with public priorities. This fosters more effective, inclusive, and equitable county governance.
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?
The commitment to County Assembly openness addresses public problems by improving governance, accountability, and service delivery. Transparency ensures that decisions, budgets, and proceedings are accessible, reducing corruption and fostering trust. Public participation allows citizens to voice concerns and influence policies, ensuring decisions reflect community priorities. Accountability mechanisms, like regular reporting and feedback systems, empower the public to monitor resource use and leadership performance, preventing misuse.
By integrating diverse perspectives, openness improves decision-making and resource allocation, solving inefficiencies and inequities in service delivery. These reforms create an inclusive system where citizen needs drive governance, enhancing trust, reducing corruption, and ensuring sustainable development that aligns with public interests.
What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?
Goal 3 of the Open Government Vision
Primary Policy Area
Inclusion, Legislative Openness
Primary Sector
Legislature, Public Services (general)
What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?
| Technology and Innovation for Transparency and Accountability | Enhanced oversight seeks to improve government transparency, accountability, and public trust. These shall be effectively implemented under the County Assembly framework of legislative tracking by developing transparent platforms where citizens can track the progress of legislation in real-time and enhance oversight by strengthening institutional checks and balances and ensure responsive governance. |