Photo: Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Senior government officials have kicked off an initiative dubbed ‘Jamii Imara Mashinani . set to create an engagement platform with the communities in the counties.
The initiative, launched in Mathioya, focuses on a series of people-centered forums designed to engage citizens directly and explain key government programs and achievements.
The inaugural Mt Kenya meeting convened by Wangoro Mwangi, a director at the Kenya Biovax Institute Mathioya, grassroot leaders interacted freely with the senior state officials in tree planting drive and in a cup of tea, as they gave their priorities for effective service delivery.
Photo/ KeRRA Chairman Eng Antony Mwaura speaking to the press at Kiru Boys High School.
According to Wangoro, the initiative seeks to bring the government closer to the people, enhance transparency, and foster public participation in shaping national development.
“ The initiative will start engaging the communities in the
During the meeting which was also attended by Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni (Health) and Elijah Mwangi (Youth and Sports), the community leaders outlined their challenges in the government that ranged from poor road networks, health insurance, unkempt promise to Nyumba kumi elders, forced coffee direct payment model.
Others present were CAK Chairman Charles Karondo, Winnie Ngumi (KeNHA) Eng Antony Mwaura(KeRRA) and Government Spokesperson Issack Mwaura.
Photo/ State corporation Chairmen Charles Karondo (middle) with Eng Antony Mwaura( left) and Dr Thuo Mathenge( right) in a chat at Kiru Boys High School,
In the meeting, Karondo said, the state officials have decided to hold weekly engagements with the residents in the villages to assemble to interact and share ideas on the government development programmes.
“Lets start listening instead of making noise,” said Karondo.
In the Murang’a meeting, the community leaders explained poor road networks, low milk prices down to the government set of Sh50 per litre.
On road development programmes, Eng Mwaura outlined that road agencies will be visiting Murang’a region seeking to start the construction the soonest as possible.
“KeRRA will advertise many of the contracts and some new contractors will be assigned after cancellation of some due to delay to completion,” said Eng Mwaura.
Ngumi said Mau Mau roads projects are at 60 percent complete with the construction scheduled to be completed in June next year.
“ Next week the team will be on the ground to ensure the Mau Mau road contractors are back on site,” said KeNHA Chairperson.
Karondo who chairs Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) called on the youth to adopt from noise to voice to help understand the challenges facing the communities.
“ The group will be moving around the country during the weekends for the engagements with the community after a week in the offices,” said Karondo.
The Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni and Elijah Mwangi public health and youth and sports respectively assured the residents that all the concerns will be attended.
Ms Muthoni asked the residents to report when asked to pay for treatment in level two and three in the public hospitals.
“ SHA is working and we are interested in getting feedback from the community related to its performance,” said Muthoni.
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