By Wasike Elvis
In a landmark effort to strengthen governance, transparency, and inclusive development in Uasin Gishu County, the Uasin Gishu County Civil Society Network convened a high-level roundtable meeting with senior officials from the County Government. The engagement was supported by Transparency International – Kenya under the Uraia Real project and brought together multiple departments, including Finance and Economic Planning, ICT, Public Participation, Devolution, Public Service Management, Administration, and Coordination.
The forum, held in Eldoret, served as a platform to discuss a wide range of issues, including budget transparency, citizen engagement, public participation policies, and the implementation of climate-related development initiatives under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.
Strengthening Civic Engagement in Governance
Benedine Kipruto, Chairperson of the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network, emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between civil society and county leadership. She noted that the meeting was a critical step in fostering mutual accountability and citizen participation in governance processes.
“This roundtable aimed to share insights from our recently launched Citizen Budget Tracking and Scorecard (CBTS) analysis report,” said Kipruto. “Our goal is to enhance collaboration with the county government, promote access to information, and ensure the public is actively involved in shaping the county’s priorities. We are also calling for an institutionalized annual roundtable with the Governor and strategic engagements with key departments such as Environment for the implementation of FLLoCA projects.”
Kipruto highlighted that for climate action to be meaningful and impactful at the grassroots level, it must be co-designed and monitored with input from local communities and civil society actors.
County Government Responds Positively
The County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Finance and Economic Planning, Micah Rogony, lauded the initiative and committed to fostering ongoing dialogue and cooperation. He acknowledged that civil society plays a vital role in governance, particularly in preemptively identifying and addressing gaps before oversight institutions intervene.
“We take this engagement very seriously. Civil society is not an adversary but a partner in development,” said Rogony. “Your monitoring and analysis help us correct issues before the Controller of Budget or the Auditor General knock on our doors. We fully appreciate the work you are doing, and I assure you the Governor is fully committed to supporting civic participation and transparency.”
Rogony proposed that the county and civil society organizations establish quarterly engagement forums, which would allow for structured discussions aligned with the county’s budget cycle and project implementation timeline.
Implementation of Public Participation Policy
One of the key issues raised during the meeting was the enforcement of the county’s Public Participation Policy. Rogony pointed out that although the county has a well-equipped system to support public engagement, some departments were bypassing it in decision-making processes.
“It is unacceptable for any department or individual to proceed with projects or procurement without involving the public,” he said. “We have a Public Participation Policy in place, and it must be respected. I am urging the Procurement Department not to advertise any tenders unless proper public participation has been conducted. That’s non-negotiable.”
The Finance CEC also emphasized the importance of completing ongoing projects before initiating new ones. He disclosed that the current administration inherited over twelve major projects from the previous government, of which four have so far been completed. “We must ensure continuity and accountability. Starting new projects based on concept notes alone is not sustainable. All new projects must undergo thorough discussions and community engagement,” he added.
Civil Society’s Role in Project Monitoring
The Civil Society Network expressed a strong desire to be involved in project monitoring to ensure public resources are well utilized. They emphasized that civil society engagement in contract and project management would lead to better outcomes, reduce waste, and increase public trust in government processes.
“We want to monitor our county projects closely to make sure citizens get the maximum benefit from these investments,” said Kipruto. “It is important that project implementation is transparent and accountable.”
Transparency International Commits to Continued Support
Brian wabala project officer for Transparency International welcomed the county’s commitment to transparency and accountability, especially the presence and active participation of the Finance CEC.
“We applaud CEC Micah Rogony and his team for joining this important conversation,” said Wabala . “This kind of collaboration is what we need to deepen governance reforms. We will continue to support such engagements that promote access to information, budget transparency, and citizen participation.”
Wabala reiterated Transparency International’s readiness to provide technical support and capacity building for both county officials and civil society actors, to ensure that policy commitments translate into tangible benefits for the people of Uasin Gishu.
Way Forward
The meeting concluded with key resolutions:
Institutionalize quarterly engagement forums between civil society and the County Government.
Establish an annual Governor’s roundtable with the Civil Society Network.
Enhance enforcement of the Public Participation Policy, with immediate directives to halt any procurement or development activities that bypass community input.
Strengthen collaboration with the Department of Environment to advance FLLoCA projects.
Support project monitoring and evaluation efforts through joint civil society-government frameworks.
This roundtable marks a significant step forward in Uasin Gishu County’s efforts to entrench participatory governance and climate-responsive development. As the county moves forward with its development agenda, all eyes will be on how well these commitments are implemented and sustained.
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