The National Government, through the State Department for Devolution, has issued guidelines to counties in a bid to help the formation of Project Management Committees (PCMs).
Speaking in Trans Nzoia during a sensitization workshop, Director, State Department for Devolution Emily Imbwaga outlined the need to customize and streamline standard operational procedures adding that this will help provide a platform for proper public engagement.
Explaining that it will not only ensure more views are captured from the public and therefore factored during implementation of projects, Imbwaga added that this will help cultivate and realize participatory governance.
“Development should be for the people by the people. Stemming from this, we now have the standard guidelines which will help countries in the formation of PCMs.
If the procedures are duly followed, the public will have a voice in the implementation of government-sponsored projects and even donor-sponsored ones,” she said.
Imbwaga observed that although most projects under donor-funded programs have structures that entail PMCs, there has been no standard guideline more so in county specific projects.
Director Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP) Gideon Sawe present during the sensitization workshop welcomed the new guidelines noting that they will go a long way in creating efficiency in the implementation of project as it will enhance public engagement.
As he praised the component of public engagement and involvement as stipulated in the guidelines, Sawe said this will help the public own the projects and hence safeguard them for posterity.
KDSP Director Human Resource, who doubles up as coordinator, Imelda Agoi emphasized the need for stakeholders to embrace changes which she said will help steer development up to the grassroots.
The workshop brought together lead officers from key units that coordinate county projects and PMCs under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Programme.
By Isaiah Nayika
