Charting A Pathway for Public Participation

Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices took time off their daily chores to seek public participation and chart a pathway to sustainable development

During a three-day retreat in Meru County, they exchanged ideas on how to engage the citizenry in reviewing progress in the implementation of the Constitution, and shared experiences in carrying out their respective mandates.

The leaders came together at the 7th Annual Forum for Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices (CCIOs), which was held at Meru National Polytechnic.

The first day of the conference that shifted to Meru Steers Hotel, saw various stakeholder engagements and panel discussions that touched on topics such as the role of CCs and IOs in promoting effective public participation in the devolved units, the role of the Fourth Estate in capacity building for effective engagement with the public in policy matters, and alternative methods of communication for effective public engagement.

Other issues related to human rights, during which panellists explored possible ways of integrating and mainstreaming marginalized groups into governance through public participation.

The second day was dedicated to field visits, during which participants viewed flagship projects in the county, among them a borehole water project at Machaku Primary and Day School located in a semi-arid area in the northern part of the county, and Kinoru Stadium at Meru town.

The third day involved interactions with the citizenry, a forum that was officially opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Throughout the conference period that ran from 10th-12th October 2018, all the offices represented exhibited at Meru National Technical Polytechnic where the public visited the stands and learned about the various roles and responsibilities each constitutional office undertakes in its service to the public.

The chair was accompanied by Commissioner Rose Mghoi and EACC secretariat from the Headquarters and the Isiolo regional office.