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.

Comments

Involve all stakeholders when proposing new laws- BOTTAX General Secretary petitions government

BOTTAX General Secretary Cynthia Wanyonyi Photo (courtesy) BY PETER KOMBE Kenya Boda Boda Tuk Tuk and Taxi Workers Union (BOTTAX Kenya) has faulted the government on claims of passing bills that do not favor the transport sector. Speaking to the media in Mombasa on Monday the union’s General Secretary Cynthia Wanyonyi said in most cases the government does not involve boda boda Tuk Tuk and other informal transport worker's representatives. She further noted that as stakeholders in the public transport sector the government fails to carry out effective public participation exercises as enshrined in the Kenyan constitution. “The government does not involve the public when making certain decisions,” she noted. Wanyonyi urged both the operators to register with the union to avoid being misled by what she claims are quack organisations. She urged the department concerned with registering cooperatives and other associations touching on the informal trans...

Traditional Healer Wants Asset Recovery Authority Disbanded

RE: VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 10,25,31,35,40,50(1),232(1)(G), AND 234(2) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENYA, 2010 AND SECTION 10 OF PUBLIC SERVICE(VALUES AND PRINCIPLES) ACT NO.1 A OF 2015 IN AND RELATION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF COLONEL ALICE MATE AS AGENCY DIRECTOR, ASSETS RECOVERY AGENCY. OUR CLIENT STEPHEN VICKER MANGIRA ID NO>20129581. The source of this story is from Steve Vicker Mangira written by his lawyer Kinyua Steve Vicker Mangira previous photo taken at Shanzu court Mr. Stephen Vicker manager, the above-mentioned client is a Kenyan citizen by birth. He has elected to exercise his civic mandate under articles 3 and 10 of the constitution of Kenya, 2010, and to access information held by you which he requires to exercise and protect his fundamental rights and freedoms under articles 25©,31,35, 40,48, and 50(1). this letter is also addressed to you under provisions of article 47(2) of the constitution of Kenya,2010 as regards fair administrative actions Our clients fundamental ri...

Come and dialogue with us- MCHANE activists tell county government

MCHANE logo photo (FILE) By Peter Kombe Mombasa County Health Advocacy Network (MCHANE) a civil society lobby group championing for health rights in Mombasa County has called on health stakeholders to jointly work together in a bid to address teething challenges facing the health sector. The lobby groups says despite the ample resources allocated to the health sector in Mombasa there still exists a myriad of problems in public health sector. “There are ample resources what we need right now is the partnership by stakeholders in this sector” Collins Liko an activist says Speaking to the press in Mombasa on Tuesday, Collins Liko, a Haki Jamii human rights activist said there is a need for the county government to invest in capacity building for its health personnel. Liko lauded efforts by the county government to address health concerns. “I want to commend some of the efforts done by Mombasa County to highlight some of the concerns in the health sector” he no...

PWANI MEDIA NETWORK (K)

Search This Blog