Neighbourhood Kenya 20th Edition - Kara

MESSAGE NEWS
One of the key pillars of the
Constitution of Kenya is
devolution and majority
Kenyans supported the Constitution
during the referendum because of
chapter 11 on devolved government.
It is however clear that the concept
of devolution as envisaged in the
constitution is not yet clear to many
citizens. With the next elections fast
approaching, it is important and urgent
that citizens are supported to clearly
understand how the counties will
work and also drive the agenda of the
counties, including evaluating political
offi ce seekers.
In this regard, The Kenya Alliance
of Resident Associations (Kara) in
collaboration with Decentralization
and Governance Non State Actors
Network (Degonsa) and with the
support of Canadian International
Development Agency (Cida) has rolled
out a civic education programme aimed
at achieving a responsive devolution
process for Kenya.
Sixteen counties have been
identifi ed for implementation of various
activities. The counties are: Kwale,
Lamu, Wajir, Isiolo, Meru, Makueni,
Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kajiado,
Bungoma, Kisumu, Kisii, Turkana,
Busia and Nairobi.
Through the initiative Kara/Degonsa
seeks to infl uence attainment of a
functional devolution in the following
ways:
• Provide effective citizens feedback
to the devolution processes of
developing policies and laws, and
subsequently tools and guidelines
of rolling out devolution. There
will be continuous dialogue and
feedback to national bodies like the
Commission on the Implementation
of the Constitution (CIC), the
Commission on Revenue Allocation
(CRA) and the Legislature
• Reinforce existing citizens energy
and formations to deepen devolution,
increase level of information on
devolution, monitor progress on
devolution, and ensure capacity
of citizens formations is enhanced
in readiness for holding leaders
accountable at that level, and provide
effective feedback and linkages at the
national level
• Document the lessons and practices of
devolution process in Kenya, especially
from the work being carried out in the
16 counties. The documentation will
be published and disseminated to the
public.
• In coordination with other players in
education sector, share devolution
lessons with the education sector
players.
So far devolution forums have been
held in ten counties across the
country. These are Kisumu, Kisii,
Bungoma, Busia, Kwale, Lamu,
Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Nairobi and
Kajiado. Participants at the forum
included leaders of faith based
organizations, youth groups, women
rights organizations, community elders
among others.
Memorable quotes
Participants at the forum were
sensitized on key principles of devolution
and the roles and responsibilities of
citizens in achieving a responsive
devolution. Separate sessions were also
organized in the ten counties for county
professionals’ forum to discuss key
principles of devolution and the roles of
professionals in setting county priorities
and agenda.
Besides the county devolution forum,
a citizen’s handbook on key principles
of devolution has been published for
dissemination to the public. Through
the Kara/Degonsa initiative, a national
county mailserv is in place and is being
used to generate debates on devolution
issues and share regular updates and
information with the subscribers.
Public preparedness for devolution
is very key as effective participation
as envisaged in the constitution will
depend to a large extent on the level
of citizen understanding as regards to
their roles and responsibilities. Kara’s
aim is to promote realization of effective
devolution roll out that leads to improved
democracy and service delivery in
Kenya.
But I know somehow, that only
when it is dark enough, can you
see the stars.
Martin Luther King Jr.
US black civil rights leader
and clergyman (1929 - 1968)
20.