The NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat successfully hosted the inaugural national summit of the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) on 7th August, 2024 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

The summit brought together a distinguished array of delegates among them; 13 Governors including H.E Stephen Sang –Nandi County, H.E Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o Kisumu County,  H.E Mohamud Ali – Marsabit County, H.E Mutahi Kahiga- Nyeri County, H.E Wisley Rotich – Elgeyo Marakwet County, H.E Benjamin Cheboi- Baringo County, H.E Fernandes Barasa – Kakamega County, H.E Kenneth Lusaka – Bungoma County, H.E Mutula Kilonzo JR – Makueni County, H.E Paul Otuoma – Busia County,  H.E James Orengo – Siaya County, H.E Abdulswamad Shariff – Mombasa County, and H.E Simba Arati – Kisii County ). In total, 36 counties were represented at the Summit which was also attended by Heads of selected state agencies, the CEO of the Council of Governors, Ms. Mary Mwiti, numerous County Secretaries and Members of the Counties Executive, members of the National Governing Council and the CPRM Panel of Eminent Persons, among others.

 

Summit in session under the moderation of H.E Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, Governor of Kisumu County

The CPRM Summit served as a pivotal platform for peer review and dialogue on the implementation of the14 devolved functions of government and governance practices. The summit is modeled against the continental African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and aims to facilitate a structured, voluntary assessment of governance performance at the county level. This approach enables counties to self-assess, address challenges, and share best practices to foster continuous improvement in service delivery performance.

Key highlights of the summit included the presentation of County Review Reports for 12 counties that underwent the review process between 2021 and 2023. These counties (Mombasa, Siaya, Machakos, Nyeri, Kakamega, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Makueni, Nandi, and Busia) provided detailed accounts of their performance across the 14 devolved functions.

The reports were developed through a rigorous process involving focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and consultations with both state and non-state stakeholders. Inputs from these respondents were instrumental in creating comprehensive documents that reflect each county’s operations, achievements, and challenges.

The summit provided a valuable opportunity for governors to engage in candid discussions about governance challenges and explore innovative solutions. It also served as a platform for exchanging ideas on improving service delivery and ensuring that governance practices align with the needs and expectations of the citizenry.

The key speakers emphasized on the importance of collaborative efforts and the need for counties to learn from each other’s experiences to drive sustainable development. By learning from each other the counties have paved the way for a more effective and accountable governance framework.

The inaugural CPRM Summit marks a new chapter in Kenya’s governance landscape and sets a precedent for similar initiatives across the continent. As the country continues to evolve and address the complexities of governance, the lessons learned from this summit will play a crucial role in shaping the future of public service delivery in the counties.