‘Utawala Bora, Wajibu Wetu’ A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale county
The study found that:
About Transparency International Kenya
Transparency International Kenya (TIKenya) is a not for profit organisation founded in 1999 in Kenya with the aim of advocating for a transparent and corruptionfree society through good governance and social justice initiatives. TI-Kenya is one of the autonomous chapters of the global Transparency International movement, a non-partisan coalition of individuals with a shared vision of a corruption-free world. Transparency International Kenya, in conjunction with coalition partners against corruption established Advocacy Legal Advisory Centres (ALACs) in Coast, North Rift, Western and Nairobi regions. ALACs have worked with communities in these regions to improve their ability to stand up to corruption and increase their level of involvement in demanding for provision of quality public services from public institutions and officers
About ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’ a)
Why ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’?
Towards the end of 2013, TI-Kenya piloted a Local Integrity Systems (LIS) Assessment in Kwale and Kisumu Counties. This Local Integrity Systems (LIS) Assessment gathered valid and reliable evidence on the performance of the county governance framework, actors and anti-corruption mechanisms. The assessment was conducted through an all-inclusive approach, engaging interested parties in the research, advocacy and planning elements of the project.
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• The County Assembly had adequate resources to carry out its duties. • The County Assembly was independent from the County Executive allowing it to effectively play an oversight role over the County Executive. • Citizens were unable to access Hansard reports and draft bills by the assembly. • The County Executive had clear roles and functions and adequate resources to carry out its duties. • The County Executive had not established a county framework to manage the county public service and was using national government guidelines. • The County Government was still enforcing permits and licenses that had been issued by the defunct local authority. • National government’s anti-corruption and oversight efforts were not as effective as they should be: • National agencies that had mandate to investigate and resolve corruption complaints at the county level had not had the chance to set up office at the county. • Internal audit mechanisms were limited but constitutional institutions had the capacity to oversee county operations. Oversight efforts by these institutions were not effective as they should be. The study’s recommendations included: • Widely publicised citizen consultative forums by the County Assembly and establishment of a communication center / customer care desk and website where citizens can access relevant information about the county government. • Establishment of a widely publicised independent public complaint mechanism that can receive and resolve complaints.
A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale County
• Model laws anchored on national legislation and the Constitution. The most crucial laws were identified as those on procurement, access to information and public participation. • Establishment of a citizens’ service center and a Performance Management Plan by the County Executive as stipulated in the County Government’ Act, 2012. b) The goal of ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’ This project is being implemented by TIKenya in Kwale County for the benefit of citizens and residents of the county with the intention of shaping a model, corruptionfree county. The goals of ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’ are: • To advocate for county institutions that are efficient and deliver quality services • To empower citizens in the county to uphold and promote integrity TI-Kenya intends to build an informed, active population as an effective guarantor of integrity at the county level. Through this project, TI-Kenya also aims to enhance the capacity of non-state actors to participate effectively in promoting accountable governance in Kwale County. c) Through ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’, TI-Kenya anticipates the following practices in Kwale County: • Responsible resource management for efficient service delivery at the county level; and, • Strengthened public participation for democratic devolved governance. Activities include:
• Public sensitisation and mobilisation in budget making and expenditure tracking • Development and publication of a county service charter(s) • Capacity building on corruption detection and prevention for Members of the County Assembly, Members of the County Executive Committee and the public • Legislative drafting • Supporting the County Assembly Representatives Network Against Corruption (CARNAC) in Kwale and advocating for the establishment of a county anti-corruption unit In order to strengthen public participation for democratic devolved governance, the following initiatives are being undertaken: • Empowering victims and witnesses of corruption to stand up against corruption and associated the vices: TI-Kenya is conducting public awareness/education forums and mobile legal aid clinics targeting the general public. • Advocacy on access to information for effective public participation: TI-Kenya is advocating for a county specific freedom of information (FOI) legislation and development of a model FOI monitoring tool for the county. The tool will be used for annual monitoring on the state of access to information in the county. • Promoting effective public participation: TI-Kenya is facilitating the formation of, and supporting a citizens’ forum, and county budget and economic forum in Kwale County. • TI-Kenya will also support citizens to lodge administrative petitions to the Kwale County government on matters related to transparency and accountability.
• Financial integrity study to map gaps and strengths in the county’s financial system
A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale County
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To receive free and confidential advice on corruption related cases, Call 0800 720 721 OR SMS 22129 toll-free* *call free from Safaricom lines ALAC MOMBASA Ujamaa Center 1st floor, Simba Road- Off links Road, Nyali, Mombasa Opposite Kilima Gardens. Mobile Tel.: 0728418822 Email: alacmombasa@gmail.com HEAD OFFICE A.C.K Garden House, Wing D 1st Ngong Avenue, off Bishop’s Road P.O.Box 198, 00200 City Square Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254-20-2727763/5, 2730324/5 Mobile: 0722-296589, 0733-834659 Fax: +254-20-2729530 Website: www.tikenya.org
The publication of this brochure has been funded by the Kingdom of Belgium through the Embassy of Belgium in Nairobi, Kenya. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the Belgian Government’s official policies. The contents of this brochure are the sole responsibility of Transparency International Kenya
A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale County