Uasin Gishu: Uasin Gishu County Government hosted a high-level delegation from the New Partnership for Africa's Development/ the African Peer Review Mechanism (NEPAD/APRM) Kenya Secretariat as part of an ongoing County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) validation exercise to ensure excellence in devolved governance. The session, held at the county headquarters in Eldoret, marked a critical milestone in Uasin Gishu's commitment to strengthening governance, enhancing transparency, and improving service delivery across its devolved functions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the visiting delegation was led by Rtd Archbishop Dr. Eliud Wabukala, Chairperson of the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) and lead panel member for the Uasin Gishu review process. He was accompanied by Dr. Rose Kitur, Director of NEPAD Programs and the team leader for the validation exercise, as well as Ms. Jane Wanjiru, a member of the NEPAD/APRM Kenya National Governing Council. Their presence underscored the importance of the process in deepening devolution and fostering inclusive development across counties.
The validation exercise follows comprehensive data collection activities and focus group discussions conducted across all 30 wards of Uasin Gishu County. The discussions brought together diverse stakeholders, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, civil society, and community-based organizations, who provided candid insights on governance, citizen participation, and the state of service delivery across the 14 devolved functions such as health, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and education.
Governor Dr. Jonathan Chelilim reaffirmed his administration's commitment to upholding the values of accountability and people-driven development. 'Our engagement with NEPAD/APRM reflects our dedication to continuous improvement. The feedback collected from our citizens during the countywide consultations will be instrumental in shaping responsive policies and strengthening service delivery,' he stated.
Dr. Rose Kitur lauded the county's openness and the depth of civic participation witnessed during the data collection phase. She noted that Uasin Gishu has shown commendable leadership in embracing the principles of good governance and performance evaluation as envisioned in the African Peer Review Mechanism framework.
As part of the validation process, the NEPAD/APRM team will now synthesize the data collected and compile a comprehensive county review report. The report will highlight both the achievements and governance gaps in Uasin Gishu, providing a basis for policy recommendations and county action plans that are rooted in citizens' voices. The CPRM validation marks a significant step in Uasin Gishu's journey toward excellence in devolved governance, aligning with Governor Bii's Nguzo Kumi manifesto which prioritizes inclusive governance, social equity, and sustainable development.
Others present were County Secretary Philip Melly, CECM Finance and Economic Planning Micah Rogony, Chief Officer Finance Eliud Kipkorir, Chief Officer Economic Planning CPA Nathan Korir, County Attorney Sylvester Metto, Director of Finance CPA Martin Mutai, Director of Economic Planning Charles Ruto, and Director of GDU Charles Kapkiai.