Page 16 - MANDERA-COUNTY- REVIEW-3RD-EDITION

16
Service delivery through

public participation

andera County Assembly has success-
fully transacted several businesses de-
Mspite the MCAs having been in office
for just a few months. The Assembly considers
public participation a crucial pillar to promote
accountability and enhance local service de-
livery. The second Mandera County Assembly
continues to involve the public in decision-
making processes through participation fo-
rums in all the wards.

Even during the vetting of County Executive
Committees members, the Assembly allowed
the pubic to fully participate in the process. To
further enhance the discourse of public par-
ticipation, the County Assembly is in the pro-
cess of developing the Mandera County Public
Participation Act.

To date, the Assembly has passed 10 motions.
In addition, the Assembly has considered and
disposed of more than 10 public petitions. Fur-
ther, the Assembly has strengthened ward of-
fices in all the 30 wards in Mandera. This was
done to enhance public engagement and par-
ticipation and to facilitate members to properly
engage with their electorate.

The County Assembly will soon embark on
extensive countywide civic education forums. Hon. Mohamed Khalif - Speaker
Through these forums, MCAs will have an op- Mandera County Assembly
portunity to interact with the people they rep-
resent and address issues as well as challeng-
es affecting the electorate. These issues have These challenges can, however, be overcome
been incorporated in the County Integrated if all arms of government work with a common
Development Plan, budget process and As- goal in mind. We will continue to deliver on
sembly motions.
our mandate to oversight the Executive without
bias or being compromised.
The Mandera County Assembly is in the pro- To ensure the members are well-equipped to
cess of reviewing its Standing Orders, which properly oversight the Executive, the Assem-
govern procedures in the House. The Assem- bly has undertaken several capacity training Hon. Ahmed Surrow
bly is also in the process of fast-tracking legis- for the members, which includes training for - Clerk Mandera
lation that will improve the welfare of margin- implementation committee, delegated legisla- County Assembly
alised groups, destitutes and people living with tion, Speaker’s panel, county public accounts
disabilities. committee, powers and privileges, budget The County Assembly will
and appropriation committee, house business soon embark on extensive
committee and the whole house. These train- countywide civic education
Given the fragile nature of our ecosystem, the ings underscore our commitment to build the
Assembly is also in the process of developing institutional capacity of the Assembly to be forums. Through these forums,
and enacting legislation on environmental pro- aboveboard. MCAs will have an opportunity
tection, livestock and domestic animals and
improving education and health. There is, therefore, need for proper dialogue to interact with the people
and engagement between the Executive and they rep-resent and address
the Assembly to always uphold principles of
Devolution has been greatly beneficial to the separation of power and checks and balances. issues as well as challenges
residents of Mandera. But it has not been with- To enhance the working relationship between affecting the electorate.
out its challenges. For instance, we have had the two arms of government, the oversight role These issues have been
to endure the burden of accumulated debts of the Assembly has to be recognised and ap-
and pending bills due to delays by the naa- preciated without being adversarial. incorporated in the County
tional government to release funds. In addition, Integrated Development Plan,
lack of skilled manpower has hampered our budget process and Assembly
development plans, which calls for homegrown
solutions and empowerment of locals through motions.
training.