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| John Paul second right flanked by Julius Wanyama and other Cso members during the launch at a Mombasa Hotel on Friday |
Haki Yetu Organization in partnership with other
civil society organisations in Mombasa County has launched a series of campaigns
to educate the public on the accessing public information on the management of Constituency
Development Fund (CDF).
The campaign dubbed “Mulika NG-CDF -Free SMS -*483*6#”
allows citizens to understand the total amount of money allocated and disbursed
to every sub county within Mombasa county.
“This campaign will help all Kenyans understand
their constitutional right. We have to ensure that public money is accounted
for. You just have to follow a few steps and you are done” Paul noted
According to John Paul, the initiative will enable Kenyans
keep a track record of their elected leaders as far as the management and
accountability of the CDF kitty is concerned.
Speaking to the press in Mombasa on Friday, John
Paul, a Land and resources management co-coordinator at Haki Yetu Organization
said the campaign is also geared towards making Kenyans aware of their constitutional
right.
“We know that we are the tax-payers, and in order
for us to see that our money is well utilized then we have to track them as
leaders” he noted
He adds “Kenyans being the taxpayers reserve a constitutional
right to question leaders on the issue of the National Government CDF fund”
The human rights activist however said that many Kenyans
do not have an access to public information.
“Many Kenyans do not have an access to public
information and that is why we want them get this information” he noted.
On the other hand, Julius Wanyama, a human rights
defender from Haki Yetu Organization activist urged Kenyans not to incorporate politics
with public money.
He says “Kenyans have a right to have an access to
better health care services and other basic services”
The activist added that Kenyans have an in-depth
understanding of how their money is accounted for.
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| John Paul addressing CSOs and youth during the launch of the initiative |
“Don’t bring in politics on matters of public money.
This is our money as we are the ones paying taxes to access services. We need
to get services and not only services, but better services” he noted
He urged the citizens to flock in numbers to question
the validity of the CDF kitty at their sub county levels.
According to John Paul a total of ten NGOs participated
in the developing the initiative including among others, Juhudi, Kituo cha Sheria
and youths drawn from the different sub counties within the county.
It focuses on five main programs: Land and Housing; Peace; Gender and Child Rights; Social Funds and Human Rights.
Haki Yetu was established in an informal settlement with the specific aim of advocating for the rights of marginalized communities living in the informal settlements of Mombasa.
The NGO has currently spread its wings to Kwale and Kilifi counties, working with the vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Great initiative,this should be replicated across the country
ReplyDeleteGreat initiative,this should be replicated across the country
ReplyDelete