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.
“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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