Tag: CEDGG

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CSOs weigh in on the Nakuru County Honors and Awards Bill

Nakuru County Civil Society organizations have weighed in on the ongoing Nakuru County Honors and Awards Bill 2019.

Under the umbrella Nakuru County Civil Society Organizations Forum(NACCSOF),the organizations have recommended that the composition of the County Honors Advisory Committee
be extended to cater for a broader representation of stakeholders and to promote accountability.

“The Advisory Committee as proponed in Part II of the Bill only consists of top county government representatives and leaves out other key representatives of non-state actors. As an accountability measure and in order to safeguard the mandate of the committee from political bias, the NACCSOF proposes that the membership be expounded to include representatives of non-state actors including the Civil Society, Private Sector Actors and other relevant stakeholders taking into consideration representation from marginalized groups including PWDs”they stated in their submission during public participation.

The NACCSOF proposals presented by Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance(CEDGG) CEO Cornelius Oduor, further state that the  membership Advisory committee should clearly stipulate efforts to avert gender bias in line with the two thirds constitutional threshold.

The Nakuru CSOs noting that
although the Bill indulges participation of the CEC responsible for Culture in the advisory committee,there is no deliberate effort to indicate the relevant department where the Award and Honors shall be domiciled.

They argue that the Bill  for instance does not indicate whether there will be a requirement for a Directorate of Awards and Honors or the relevant department where the Awards and Honors exercise shall be anchored.

NACCSOF points out this is key in ensuring that the awards and honors processes and procedures are catered for during County Budgeting and Planning Processes and shall be key in assignment of specific roles and responsibilities.

The CSOs also pointing out conflicting roles of the Advisory Committee and the Secretariat on the vetting role.

“The Bill does not clearly distinguish clear roles and the convergence between the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee on the vetting of nominees. According to the Bill, the membership of the secretariat has not been clearly stated. Further, there has is no attempt evident in the bill to ensure that there is independence in the role of the Advisory Committee in the vetting process” said Oduor.

NACCSOF therefore proposes a creation of a vetting committee explicitly outlined in the Bill to avoid duplication of roles and responsibilities and ensure that a level of autonomy is ensured by these actors exercising their duties.

On definition of a Hero and the requirements for qualification of persons for the awards and honors procedures NACCSOF noted that the Bill does not clearly define the attributes and requirements for persons eligible for nomination for the awards and honors.

“The qualities met for persons to attain hero standards and nomination for consideration are critical to ensure that favoritism, bias and conflicting interests are shunned when these persons are feted. In section 9 of the Bill, the provision ‘a manner that is inconsistent with the award.’ has not been explicitly covered to provide any qualification/disqualifications thereof. NACCSOF therefore proposes that these requirements be clearly stipulated in line with Chapter Six of CoK (Leadership and Integrity)” stated Oduor.

The proposal memorandum was signed on behalf of NACCSOF by Cornelius Oduor (Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) and  Bancy Kubutha(Centre for Transformational Leadership (CTL)

The  Nakuru County Honors and Awards Bill 2019 is sponsored by Kabazi Ward MCA Dr.Peter Mbae who says it will help address the gaps that have been there in identifying heroes.

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Human Rights defenders call for action to end unrest in Nessuit, Mariashoni

Human Rights defenders have joined hands in piling pressure on the Government to establish the political truth and solutions in the Mau Region, Nakuru and Narok counties.

In a statement issued in Nakuru on Thursday, the Human Rights defenders say the lives of the affected communities in Nakuru by the conflicts in Mauche, Nessuit and Mau Eco system will only come to normal if the government moves with speed to find a lasting solution.

According to the statement undersigned by affected communities, Midrift HURINET, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance as well as Freedom of Information Network, the conflicts on the border of Nakuru and Narok counties has continued to pose a challenge to the communities.

Led by Davis Malombe from Kenya Human Rights Commission, the Human Rights defenders together with the affected communities have cited lack of political goodwill as hindrance towards amicable solution in the conflicts.

“Lack of political goodwill has continued to hinder amicable solutions in the conflict prone areas such as Nessuit, Mariashoni and Ndoshua most affected” stated Malombe.

Muraya Wanyambugi from Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance adding that the conflicts can be traced back to historical injustices.

He cited that court actions have been there as communities try to seek Justice but all has been in vain with lack of title deeds still a challenge leading to the conflicts.

The conflicts according to the Human Rights defenders have led to forceful evictions, injuries in areas where there was excessive use of force by state.

They are now calling on the government to move with speed and find a lasting solution in the whole issue to avert more suffering of the communities.

Through recommendations read by Trizah Ombewa from Midrift HURINET, the Human Rights defenders want the affected families to commit to cessation of violence, peaceful and mutual co-existence.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission in collaboration with civil society should also ensure joint peace and justice committees to foster intercommunity peace.

They are also recommending the enactment of Nakuru County Peace Bill and implementation of Nakuru County Violence Prevention Policy especially on land issues.

The established taskforce on Mau Forest to look into issues has also been urged to present its findings and recommendations with immediate effect.

In addressing the issue of cut lines, the Human Rights defenders together with the affected communities say the government should come clear and separate settlement and forest land but in consideration of the affected families.

They have also called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to consider dropping charges perceived to be politically motivated and preferred against the affected communities.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority(IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights(KNCHR) have been called upon to consider investigations into the atrocities allegedly committed by the state security, administration and forest apparatus during the  evictions and other operations.

Meanwhile, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also been urged to investigate and prosecute the political elite allegedly inciting and dividing communities.While National Land Commission called upon to re-possess the land that was illegally and irregularly acquired by the undeserving elite.

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County enters into MoU with Civil society on service delivery

Nakuru County Civil Society Organizations Forum has entered into a Memorandum of understanding with the County Government of Nakuru with aim to improve service delivery.

Areas of partnership as per the MoU include civic education, civic engagement, policy formulation and implementation, joint performance management and resource mobilization.

Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the MoU, Ms Nancy Kubutha from Centre for Transformational Leadership said the MoU will help ensure better service delivery in Nakuru.

According to Ms Kubutha, the launch is a culmination of several activities that began in 2018 when the draft MoU was developed.“This is a culmination of a journey we began in 2018 when a draft MoU was developed” she said.

Similar sentiments echoed by Masese Kemunche from Centre for enhancing Democracy and Good governance-CEDGG.Masese stating that the main aim of the partnership is to ensure the citizens of Nakuru get services.

“Through the MoU we shall see county, CSOs and other partners work together with an objective towards service delivery” said Masese.

During the event, a joint liaison committee that comprises members of the civil society and County government was also commissioned to spearhead the process.

Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr.Erick Korir who graced the event welcomed the partnership citing that it marks the end to the mistrust that has been there between the civil society and the government.

The DG adding that there are major opportunities that come with the partnership with CSOs and that there was need to create more networks.

While lauding the Joseph Omondi led Midrift-Human Rights Network for the project they intent to partner with county government on matters Community Health Volunteers, the DG welcomed the same adding that it will be a plus as the county government is also working on the same in around four sub counties.

The Deputy Governor also called on the joint liaison committee to ensure they play their role diligently and work towards improving service delivery in Nakuru County.Similar sentiments echoed by Nakuru County CECM for Public Service and Devolution Mr.Mwangangi Mwania.

According to the CEC,the signing of the MoU is another journey towards development in Nakuru County and should be supported.

He called on the civil society to work closely with the government towards empowering citizens.

“This is another journey of development. I call on the civil society to work closely with the county government in empowering our citizens through civic education” said the CECM.

The event was also witnessed by the Nakuru County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange, County Secretary Benjamin Njoroge, several civil society groups and members of the Fourth estate among others.

PHOTO/Pristone Mambili:Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr.Erick Korir and the convenors of the Nakuru County Civil Society Forum (NACCSOF) append their signatures in the official MOU between the the two patries.

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New Gender report reveals numerous gaps in gender equality mainstreaming in Nakuru

A new Gender report released in Nakuru on Wednesday shows there are numerous gaps in gender equality mainstreaming at the Nakuru County Government in terms of service delivery.

Nakuru based Centre for enhancing Democracy and Good Governance-CEDGG in collaboration with other partners has released an audit report on service delivery in Nakuru by the county government.

The report which focused on service delivery within Nakuru East and Nakuru West sub counties reveals various gaps in service delivery by the county government with population for the analysis being drawn from senior staff of Nakuru and more so the Public service Board.

According to the findings in the report, the staff at the County Government of Nakuru has inadequate awareness of gender equality mainstreaming hence need for adequate sensitization.

It further indicates that that Nakuru County government has inadequate staff for managing Gender equality mainstreaming agenda.In addition, there are no clear plans and budgets for Gender issues.

“The Directorate of Gender is the driver of the gender agenda in the county yet suffers consistent negative budget reviews at the county level: There is need to allow the directorate opportunity to participate in budgeting activities to ensure gender responsive budgeting is in place” states the report.

Ms Njeri Muhia from Global Consultancy that partnered with CEDGG among other partners to come up with the Gender report says the county government of Nakuru should work closely with other partners in implementing the recommendations.

Among the recommendations in the report is the development, enactment and implementation of a county Gender mainstreaming and women empowerment policy, strategy and institutional framework.

The county through partnership has also to ensure that there is capacity building for gender mainstreaming and women empowerment.

“There should be the development, enactment and implementation of a county Gender mainstreaming and women empowerment policy, strategy and institutional framework” she said.

Similar sentiments echoed by Masese Kemunche from Centre for enhancing Democracy and Good Governance-CEDGG.

Nakuru Chief Officer for Gender, Culture and Social services Ms Tumme Abduba was represented by Director Josephat Kimemia who assured that the department will work to ensure issues Gender equality are promoted.According to Kimemia, the department will work closely with other partners to ensure the same is achieved.

“As a department will work to ensure issues Gender equality are promoted” said Kimemia.

PHOTO/Pristone Mambili:Masese Kemunche from Centre for enhancing Democracy and Good Governance-CEDGG addressing during the launch of the Gender Audit report.

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Nakuru gender Report to address gaps in service delivery, says consultant

A draft gender Audit Report in relation to service delivery by the county government of Nakuru is at its validation stage.

The report was done after a research carried out by Global Consultants Ltd in partnership with the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good governance-CEDGG,Legal Resources Foundation, Nakuru Residents Associations, and County government of Nakuru.

The Report through its findings and recommendations is aimed at improving service delivery in Nakuru by coming up with a coherent gender policy to address the gaps in service delivery in Nakuru county.

The report focused on various areas among them; Poverty reduction and economic empowerment, Access to equal and quality education and training, access to quality and affordable health, violence against women/ gender based violence, as well as equitable Participation in power and decision-making.

Other areas are; Institutional mechanisms for gender equality, gender and human rights, strengthening gender equality through media, gender mainstreaming in environmental conservation, and Girl/Boy child.

The report in its recommendations is proposing the need to develop, enact and implement gender mainstreaming policy through the gender department and county assembly of Nakuru as well as capacity building for gender mainstreaming and awareness.

Ms Njeri Muhia-lead consultant at Global Consultants Ltd which played key role in coming up with the report says the report is paramount in gender mainstreaming, implementation of the current County Integrated Development Plan-CIDP and all the policies.

She says the survey was carried out for a period of 7 months interacting with all stakeholders in various departments as well as public on the gender mainstreaming as a requirement from the national government.

“In coming up with the report, a survey was carried out for a period of 7 months interacting with all stakeholders in various departments as well as public on the gender mainstreaming as a requirement from the national government” said Ms Muhia.

According to Ms Muhia, the report is paramount for the county government of Nakuru as it will assist in the review of the Gender Bill that is before the county assembly towards streamlining gender based activities in Nakuru.

With the formation of a technical working group on the same, Ms Muhia stated that they will now move with speed to sensitize the county executive as well as the county assembly on the need to implement the same.

“We have formed a team at the end of the day that is going to generate a roadmap for moving the gender mainstreaming forward. Next step is to sensitize the executive and the county assembly on why we should be able to implement the gender mainstreaming as is required of us” she said.

Similar sentiments echoed by Nakuru County Director Gender Department Ms Alice Gikonde  She lauded the move saying it will help a lot in addressing gender issue within the county through a gender policy.

“This is a paramount step in addressing gender issues within the county” said Ms Gikonde.

Masese Kemunche from Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good governance who spoke on Friday during a workshop on the same commended the County government of Nakuru for collaborating through gender and social department.

While noting that Gender was a global issue, the CEDGG  Programs Manager was categorical that formulation of coherent gender policy would play key role in addressing gender issues surrounding service delivery in Nakuru County.

“Gender is a global issue and the formulation of coherent gender policy would play key role in addressing gender issues surrounding service delivery in Nakuru County” said Masese.

Earlier on during her opening remarks, Nakuru County Chief Officer Gender, Youth, Culture and Social Services Ms Tume Abduba noted that gender parity was still a challenge not only in counties but also in National government.

She however lauded the report saying its findings will inform decisions at the county level.While noting that a Bill drafted in 2014 at the county assembly has never been passed, Ms Abduba stated that is shall be reviewed and the policy on gender will be key.

She also called for need to sensitize the executive on the issues of gender so that special fund can be set up to help in addressing gender issues.

“Bill drafted in 2014 at the county assembly has never been passed but we hope with this development it shall be reviewed, passed and implemented.

The workshop was also attended by Nakuru County assembly committee on Gender who vowed to work closely to see to it that the gender policy is in place.

PHOTO/KMYDO:CEDGG  Programs Manager Paul Masese Kemunche addressing workshop to validate a draft gender Audit Report in relation to service delivery by the county government of Nakuru.

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