Responsive County Governments Enhance Democracy and Human Rights
Press Release
Representatives from the County Government of Uasin Gishu, the Civil Societies Network, NOREB (North Rift Economic Bloc) and the National Council of Churches of Kenya have met at Eldoret today October 28, 2020 to review the progress and achievements of the Democracy and Human Rights project being implemented in the county.
The meeting reflected on Mark 4: 26 – 29, with a challenge to each person to consider the type of soil they represent and to endeavor to be productive for the betterment of the society.
During the meeting, two departments from the County that have actively engaged with the project presented feedback on Memorandums presented to them by community members through the project in August 2020. The two departments are Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; and, Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sports and Social Services. Responding to the action points raised the two memorandums, the county officials reported that:
- The Service Charters for the two departments, which were developed with support by the project, is being reviewed and will be published on the County website soon. However, the Service Charters are already being implemented, leading to improved service delivery.
- As a result of the implementation of the Service Charters, community members have been empowered to seek and receive a higher quantity and quality of services from the two departments. Internally, the County Government staff have enhanced the quality of service delivery as they endeavor to meet the timelines set out in the Charters.
- There is evidence that more community members are adopting technology, especially in agriculture.
- The Department of Agriculture has introduced a policy on cash crops and is actively mobilizing farmers to adopt production of grafted avocadoes, macadamia and tissue culture bananas.
- The two departments participate in quarterly meetings that bring together duty bearers and right holders.
On their part, the NCCK and the CSO Network appreciated the responsiveness of the County Government of Uasin Gishu to the proposals made by community members. The NOREB committed to promote this mode of responsiveness among the other counties in the bloc.
The Democracy and Human Rights project is a three- year project that is seeking to promote public participation, enhance service delivery, and entrench peace and cohesion. Funded by Diakonia, the project is being implemented in Uasin Gishu and Bungoma counties.
The meeting concluded by setting the timelines for the remaining action points outlined in the Memoranda.
Signed on this 28th day of October 2020 at Cicada Hotel, Eldoret
Rev Josphat Kimani
Treasurer, NCCK North Rift Region
Samuel K. Yego
CEC Member for Agriculture, Livestock Development & Fisheries
Joseph K. Kurgat
CEC Member for Education,Culture,Youth Affairs and Social Services
Zebby Kirui
Director for Partnerships, NOREB
