The County Assembly of Nakuru is working on a new bill aimed at enhancing transparency in the devolved unit’s institutional operations.
According to the County Assembly, the Nakuru Information Bill 2025 if passed into law, is expected to give the residents legal right to access information held by the county government’s institutions.
The proposed bill was sponsored by County Deputy Speaker, who is also a Member for County Assembly (MCA) for Nakuru East Ward, Anthony Kamau Kanyere alias Geru.
Beyond granting access, the bill outlines a clear framework requiring public entities to disclose the information they hold, both proactively and upon request in accordance with the constitutional principles of transparency and accountability.
“The bill will also protect whistleblowers who share information in the public interest and in good faith. It further aims to create a structure for educating the public about their right to access to information under this law,” part of the draft legislation reads.
According to the bill, residents who need to request for information will need to submit an application, which can be done either formally or informally, depending on the nature of the request and the institution involved.
The bill proposes that formal applications be submitted through writing, either in English or Kiswahili, with the request giving enough details to help the relevant county government office understand exactly what information is being sought.
The proposed statute provides that in the event an applicant is unable to make a written request for access to information, because of illiteracy or disability, the county information officer shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the applicant’s requests are made in a manner that meets their needs.
The bill further proposes that once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed, and a county official must respond as promptly as possible, within 21 days at the latest. As soon as a decision is made, whether the request is approved or denied, the applicant will be informed.
The bill states that if no response is received within 21 days, the request will automatically be considered rejected.
If the application is approved, the county information officer is required to notify the applicant in writing within 15 working days, confirming that access to the requested information has been granted.
The proposed law indicates that access to certain types of information may be restricted, particularly if it compromises national security, interfere with ongoing legal processes, or put anyone’s health, safety, or life at risk.
The bill adds, “Information may also be withheld if its release could significantly harm the government’s ability to manage the national economy, affect a county entity’s position in current or future legal proceedings, or severely damage the commercial interests including intellectual property rights of either the entity itself or a third party from whom the information was obtained.”
Flamingo Ward MCA David Muraya Muna is among the MCAs who have endorsed the Nakuru Information Bill 2025.
According to Muraya, supporting such a bill is a constitutional obligation and a strategic legislative move allowing MCAs to exercise better executive oversight, access timely data on county expenditures and projects, and engage in informed, evidence-based law-making.
He noted that the transparency framework will directly impact constituents by empowering them to scrutinize public funds, hold leaders accountable, and demand better service delivery in key sectors such as infrastructure, health, and sanitation.
The first term’s MCA was categorical that increasing civic access to county information would uplift marginalized groups, including youth, women, and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusive governance.
Politically, he argued that MCAs who champion transparency laws are more likely to earn public trust and gain credibility as reformers, an asset in the shifting political climate leading into the next election cycle.
He called for the timely publication of information, clear communication frameworks, and practical penalties for non-compliance to safeguard the bill’s implementation.
By Esther Mwangi and Mary Ochieng
