Makueni’s public participation model gets World Bank praise

The World Bank has lauded a model that allows local people in Makueni County decide which development project to embark on and then manage these projects once they are commissioned.   It noted that Makueni’s model of public participation includes, not only identification of projects, but  also the full involvement of residents during implementation. This novel model is recognised in a study commissioned by World Bank, ‘Kenya Accountable Devolution Programme.’

World Bank representative Annette Amolo acknowledged this novelty when she attended a forum in Wote town where public participation was documented.  “Makueni is by far ahead of the others. They have excellent public participation structures from the village level upwards which also includes implementation of projects. Compared to others, that is a high level of participation which should be emulated by other counties,” she  observed. The World Bank has been involved training programmes to instil public participation processes in various counties and anchor the devolution structure.

Governors and State’s uneasy dalliance in full show at conference County chiefs are living large while undermining devolution Devolution is changing lives despite numerous setbacks “The Constitution gives power to the people in projects development that’s why we aim at promoting strong participatory programmes that will transform people’s lives while reducing margnalisation,” Amolo noted. Amolo documented the public participation events in Makueni  with a view  to sharing the information with other county governments. In Makueni, residents are given an opportunity to own projects so that they do not abandon develop initiatives, the county’s deputy governor Adelina Mwau said.  “You will note that the governor and I come from a civil society background. We believe in people first, whereby people must be given an opportunity to say what projects will be beneficial to them. That way people own the projects,” Ms Mwau said. Even where residents are involved in project implementation, the county government is held to account for all operations, she noted.

“The county governments must be accountable to the people. In Makueni we are empowering the people to know their rights,”   said Mwau. Wambua Kawive, the county executive in charge of devolution and public service, said public participation meetings are conducted in village clusters where villagers discuss and choose projects to be implemented in their areas. “The voice of the people is paramount and as such we don’t interfere with the people’s processes. We allow them to choose the projects they want.   Because of that we have unique projects in some areas which a county administration can easily overlook,” Mr Kawive noted. Locals are appointed supervisors of the projects.  “As a county government, we have the duty to help residents achieve their dreams,” Kawive said.
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