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Double up efforts for public to access information-activists petition county government


By Peter Kombe

Human rights activists in Mombasa County have urged the county government to double up their efforts in a bid for the public to access information.

According to the activists access to public information still remains a challenge.
“Much effort is still needed for this county to fully engage the public” Nyamai a budget researcher said

Speaking to the press in Mombasa on Tuesday Josphine Nyamai a research consultant said the Kenyan constitution empowers citizens on their rights to access public information.

She says article 35 of the constitution clearly illustrates the rights of all Kenyans to access public information.

“Article 35 of the constitution is clear. It empowers citizens of their right to access information” she stated

Meanwhile, Geofrey Kerosi a research consultant from Haki Jamii organization said implementation of the budget still poses a challenge to the county.

“Implementing the budget here is still one of the challenges. ” Geoffrey insisted

At the same time Dan Maloti a reproductive health activist called on the county government to up their game in raising public awareness.

He holds the opinion that the county should use divergent channels of communication in order to reach out to the public.

“The county government has a role to ensure that there is ample public awareness when it comes to budget. Budgets have times” he noted

Maloti argues that it is the responsibility of the county government to engage all the stakeholders in order to achieve a meaningful public participation.

On her part Tunaweza Women with Disability Executive director Charity Chahasi urged the county to streamline the Mombasa county disability policy.

“There is a need for the county government to harmonize the county disability policy. Because not all disability know about this policy” she said

She however lauded efforts by the county governments to address disability issues.

On Thursday County Executive in charge of agriculture livestock and cooperatives Hassan Mwamtoa said all public participation exercises are anchored within the stipulated county by laws.


The county says such forums are anchored in the Mombasa county public participation act of 2017.


 He says the county is also committed to ensure that Mombasa locals have an access to public information.

“I want to assure you that as a county we are committed to ensure that everyone has access to information” Mr. Mwamtoa  said

The engagement forum brought together over 21 civil society organizations under the umbrella body of the Mombasa County Health Advocacy Network.

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