Under the Tree Series Draws Government Services Closer to Community at Kaiboi National Polytechnic

By Wasike Elvis

The first day of the Under the Tree Series at Kaiboi National Polytechnic has brought together government institutions, security officers and members of the community in an initiative aimed at improving public service delivery, citizen engagement and access to government programmes.

The programme, jointly organised by the Kenya School of Government (KSG), NG-CDF and Kaiboi National Polytechnic, featured a community dialogue that provided an opportunity for residents to interact directly with government representatives, raise concerns and share ideas on matters affecting their communities.

Kaiboi National Polytechnic Chief Principal Mr Abdi Kirwa Tiony described the opening day as impactful, particularly the community dialogue, which he said created an important platform for government and citizens to come together and have meaningful conversations.

The initiative brought a wide range of government services closer to the people, allowing residents to access services and information without having to travel to different government offices.

Among the key activities was the training of more than 300 police officers and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) on Customer Service Excellence.

The training focused on strengthening the capacity of public officers to serve citizens effectively and enhance the quality of interaction between government officials and members of the public.

The involvement of police and NGAO officers added a public service dimension to the programme, with the initiative bringing together security and administrative officers for capacity building while creating opportunities for engagement with the community.

The Huduma Centre was also present during the event, providing residents with access to a range of government services under one platform. The presence of the centre enabled members of the public to seek assistance and obtain information on services offered by different government departments.

Other institutions and programmes, including the UWEZO Fund, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), also participated in the event.

Their presence provided residents with an opportunity to learn more about available government programmes, services and opportunities, while also seeking clarification on issues affecting them.

A major highlight of the first day was the Community Dialogue, which brought government representatives and citizens together for direct engagement.

The forum gave community members an opportunity to share their views, discuss challenges and propose ideas aimed at improving service delivery and development within the area.

The dialogue also provided a platform for government representatives to listen to residents and better understand the issues affecting them at the grassroots level.

According to Chief Principal Abdi Kirwa Tiony, the combination of public service, training, community engagement and empowerment made the opening day significant.

He commended the teams from the Kenya School of Government, NG-CDF, Kaiboi National Polytechnic and participating government agencies for working together to make the programme a success.

The initiative comes at a time when government institutions are increasingly seeking to strengthen citizen participation and ensure that public services are accessible to people at the community level.

By bringing multiple government services and institutions to one location, the Under the Tree Series provides residents with an opportunity to access information, seek services and engage officials on matters affecting their lives.

The programme also demonstrates the role that institutions such as Kaiboi National Polytechnic can play beyond classroom-based training by serving as platforms for community engagement, public service and empowerment.

The successful first day has set the stage for continued activities under the Under the Tree Series, with stakeholders expected to maintain the focus on service delivery, capacity building, citizen participation and community empowerment.

The organisers have described the opening day as a success, with the participation of government officers, community members and various institutions providing a strong foundation for the programme's subsequent engagements.