In efforts to entrench effective governance, the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat has successfully undertaken a training and sensitization on the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) in the Mt. Kenya region. Among the Counties sensitized were; Nakuru, Embu, Laikipia and Nyeri.

The sensitization workshop held in Nakuru County aims to raise awareness on County Peer Review Mechanism; a self-assessment governance tool that allows counties to learn from each other, share best practices and identify areas of improvement. Additionally, CPRM provides citizens with a chance to engage in democratic discussions with their leaders and reach agreements on prioritized commitments for implementation.

This is set to not only increases public involvement in governance and development but also serves as an oversight tools for Members of County Assemblies and the Parliament.

In attendance were; participants from various sectors, including the county government (Nakuru, Embu, Laikipia, Nyeri) civil society organizations and the private sector. They were sensitized on the importance of the County Peer Review Mechanism, the roadmap to be used and set timelines and questionnaires to be administered to the general public during the Focus Group Discussions that will be undertaken at the ward levels.

 

Mt. Kenya Region sensitization workshop on CPRM

 

The workshop was convened by the Director, APRM & Governance, Mr. Peter Kimemia who gave a background of County Peer Review Mechanism, the partners involved, rationale, justification and the expected outcomes. Consequently he invited the Chief Executive Officer, NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya to give his sentiments.

In his remarks, Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya, emphasized the importance of County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) in promoting good governance and sustainable development in Kenya. According to Amb. Dr. Okwiya, the sensitization workshop will serve as a guide in the process of data collection, that will further help generate positive responses from county governments. Additionally, Dr. Okwiya highlighted the importance of good governance in achieving sustainable development. He noted that; governance is the fifth sector under the fourth Medium-Term Plan (MTP) which focuses on areas that will enhance the well-being of individuals, particularly those at the bottom of the socioeconomic spectrum, by concentrating on sectors that will give them more intervention and enable them to contribute to the advancement of the nation, which is in line with the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Further, Amb. Dr. Okwiya urged the counties sensitized to embrace the CPRM Process and embark on data collection and departmental report writing to ensure that the counties achieve development goals through good governance.

 

Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya, CEO, NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, giving his remarks during the sensitization workshop on CPRM in the Mt. Kenya region

 

Further, the workshop, called on all county governments in the Mt. Kenya region to participate in the peer review process and take advantage of the opportunity to learn from their peers. The Secretariat pledged to provide technical support to counties that participate in the process.

In conclusion, the sensitization workshop in Mt. Kenya region was a significant step towards entrenching effective governance. Mt. Kenya is now among other counties that are at the forefront of this initiative. Through this, citizens will have a chance to engage in democratic discussions with their leaders and reach agreements on prioritized commitments for implementation, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in governance.