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...

Invest more in reproductive health budget- activists petition Mombasa county government

By M warandu Randu Human rights crusaders championing for youth rights have called on the Mombasa county government to pump in more funds in the health kitty in order to boost reproductive health amongst the youth. Addressing journalists in Mombasa on Wednesday during an engagement forum organized by Dream Achievers Youth Organization, DAYO, Sheenan Mbau, an activist from the Centre for the Study of Adolescence, CSA said accessing information regarding reproductive health among the youth is still a challenge. “I’m urging the county government of Mombasa to invest more in the health budget. We know that the county has done so well but some more funds are needed to boost the reproductive health kitty for the youths” Ms Mbau explained She however lauded the strides made by the county government in the development and implementation of the youth strategy launched recently by the county. The activist noted that there is a need for the county government to cons...

Lobbyists accuse government of delaying launch of 2018 School Health Policy

Right DAYO Director Seif Jira flanked by Mombasa Youth Advisory council President Juliet Akumu Photo By Peter Kombe BY PETER KOMBE Human rights crusaders working around the 2018 School Health Policy (SHP) are accusing the government on claims of delaying its launch. The 2018 SHP according to the activists is ready for a mega launch after thorough review by both state and non-state actors. Speaking to the media at Mid View Hotel Nyali on Friday, Benson Chakaya a Right Here Right Now national coordinator says civil society organisations have been spending sleepless nights, jointly with government in order to realize the fruits of the SHP. “The government should launch this policy we have been working up and down to ensure that this policy sees the light of day,” he said. According to him Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu counties lead other counties in teenage pregnancy. The activists says the 2009 school health policy was in comprehensive enough to addre...

PWANI MEDIA NETWORK (K)

Search This Blog