Activists oppose bill on public involvement

The Kakamega County Public Participation Bill 2014 has met stiff opposition from the civil society movements and citizens.

The bill seeks to ensure public participation and civic education programmes are carried out in an organised and credible manner, and establish a secretariat to co-ordinate them.

The activists said the secretariat is not a representative of the people.

They cited lack of representation of people living with disability and non-adherence to the two-thirds gender balance rule as some of the flaws in the formed secretariat.

"The secretariat has officials only from the county government," said Gerishom Majanja, an activist from the civil society.

Mr Majanja said the bill does not provide clear time lines and feedback mechanisms to ensure the free flow of information from the residents.

“There is need for independent structures to represent all sectors. We need people to be empowered through civic education by being given materials to read early before discussion commences,” he said.

A resident, Dan Mutsotso, said the bill should be withdrawn as it does not give room for filing of a petition.

"It will be difficult to recall non-performers if this bill is allowed to be passed into law,” Mr Mutsotso said.

He said sub-section five of the bill, which states no meeting shall be convened for the purpose of promoting or opposing election of any person as a member of the county assembly or parliament, should be deleted.