NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat is currently undertaking the induction and sensitization of the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) Panel of Eminent Persons in Naivasha, Kenya.

The 9-member panel, commissioned in 2022 by the former President H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, comprise of; Archbishop (Rtd) Eliud Wabukhala, former Chairperson Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Prof. Olive Mugenda, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, Amb. Rukia Ahmed Subow, Former Kenya Ambassador to Iran Former Chairperson Maendeleo ya Wanawake, Amb. Dr. John Kakonge, President of the Association of Former International Civil Servants and former Kenya ambassador to Geneva, Dr. Josephine Kulea, Founder of Samburu Girls Foundation, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau, Founder, President and CEO of Africa Immigrants and Refugees Foundation, Dr. Hassan Bashir, Executive Director, Agent for Inclusive Insurance Development, Mr. Pete Ondeng, former CEO, NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat and Mr. Salesa Adano Abudo, Commissioner, Teachers Service Commission.

In his opening remarks, Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya, the Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat introduced the CPRM panel members to the newly appointed National Governing Council (NGC). He underscored the pivotal role of the 9-member panel, tasked with overseeing the County Peer Review Mechanism – an initiative wherein subnational governments engage in peer reviews to enhance service delivery performance for citizens.  Additionally, Amb. Dr. Okwiya emphasized the need for the panel members to acquire an in-depth understanding of the CPRM process. So far, the Secretariat has undertaken Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews on CPRM in 12 pilot counties. Among them; Mombasa, Busia, Taita Taveta, Kakamega, Machakos, Makueni, Elgeyo marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Siaya, Vihiga and Nyeri.

Consequently, Mr. Joseph Boit, representing the CPRM Panel of Eminent Persons highlighted the importance of close collaboration with the National Governing Council to enhance service delivery to the Secretariat. He further noted that the CPRM panel would exercise oversight, ensuring the independence, professionalism, and credibility of the process. The panel’s role includes making objective assessments and recommendations on county review reports submitted by the NEPAD/APRM Secretariat and Counties. Furthermore, the panel is responsible for submitting all county review reports, along with recommendations for measures that could improve governance and service delivery performance, to the Council of Governors.

The induction process seeks to give the panel members of CPRM an in-depth knowledge on the County Peer Review Mechanism process within the four governance thematic areas among them: Democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance and socio-economic development.