Ombudsman Mashinani Initiative Sensitizes Eldoret Residents on Administrative Justice

By Wasike Elvis

 The Commission for Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) on Friday, January 30, 2026, conducted an extensive public awareness and education exercise in Eldoret City near Nandi Gardens, aimed at enhancing citizens’ access to administrative justice and strengthening governance at the grassroots level.

The outreach was held under the Ombudsman Mashinani Initiative, themed “Widening Services at the Grassroots: Tunaleta Huduma za Ombudsman Mashinani.” This initiative is part of the Commission’s broader efforts to bring its services closer to the public, especially in areas where awareness of administrative rights and mechanisms for redress remains limited.

During the exercise, Commission officials engaged directly with community members, sensitizing them on the Ombudsman’s mandate, which includes addressing maladministration, promoting fairness in administrative actions, enforcing the right of access to information, and providing oversight over public service delivery. Residents were educated on how to recognize instances of bureaucratic inefficiency, negligence, or abuse of office and the steps they can take to report such issues.

The event also featured interactive sessions where participants asked questions, presented real-life scenarios, and sought advice on how to navigate public institutions to secure justice and transparency. Citizens were informed of the procedures for lodging complaints, the expected timelines for redress, and the support services available through the Commission.

In addition, officials highlighted the role of the Ombudsman in promoting accountability at county and national government levels, emphasizing that citizens play a crucial role in ensuring good governance by reporting irregularities and exercising their rights responsibly. The Commission also underscored its commitment to handling complaints confidentially and impartially, aiming to build public trust in the mechanisms of administrative justice.

Residents were reminded that they can access the Commission’s services at the North Rift Regional Office, located at KVDA Plaza, 7th Floor, Southern Wing, Eldoret City, where they can file complaints, obtain guidance, or follow up on ongoing cases.

The Ombudsman Mashinani Initiative is part of a nationwide strategy to empower communities with knowledge and tools to demand accountability, prevent corruption, and ensure efficient service delivery. By taking services to the grassroots, the Commission seeks to bridge the gap between citizens and public institutions, ensuring that administrative justice is not confined to urban centers but reaches every county and community across Kenya.

The exercise in Eldoret is expected to be followed by similar outreach activities in other towns and rural areas of the North Rift, reinforcing the Commission’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and citizen empowerment.