‘Utawala Bora, Wajibu Wetu’A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale county

A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale CountyA project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale County2 3

About Transparency International KenyaTransparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) is a not for profit organisation founded in 1999 in Kenya with the aim of advocating for a transparent and corruption-free society through good governance and social justice initiatives. TI-Kenya is one of the autonomous chapters of the global Transparency International movement, a non-partisan coalition of individuals with a shared vision of a corruption-free world.

Transparency International Kenya, in conjunction with coalition partners against corruption established Advocacy Legal Advisory Centres (ALACs) in Coast, North Rift, Western and Nairobi regions. ALACs have worked with communities in these regions to improve their ability to stand up to corruption and increase their level of involvement in demanding for provision of quality public services from public institutions and officers

About ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’

a) Why ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’?

Towards the end of 2013, TI-Kenya piloted a Local Integrity Systems (LIS) Assessment in Kwale and Kisumu Counties. This Local Integrity Systems (LIS) Assessment gathered valid and reliable evidence on the performance of the county governance framework, actors and anti-corruption mechanisms. The assessment was conducted through an all-inclusive approach, engaging interested parties in the research, advocacy and planning elements of the project.

The study found that:

• The County Assembly had adequateresources to carry out its duties.

• The County Assembly was independentfrom the County Executive allowing it to effectively play an oversight role over the County Executive.

• CitizenswereunabletoaccessHansardreports and draft bills by the assembly.

• The County Executive had clear rolesand functions and adequate resources to carry out its duties.

• TheCountyExecutivehadnotestablisheda county framework to manage the county public service and was using national government guidelines.

• The County Government was stillenforcing permits and licenses that had been issued by the defunct local authority.

• National government’s anti-corruptionand oversight efforts were not as effective as they should be:

• National agencies that had mandateto investigate and resolve corruption complaints at the county level had not had the chance to set up office at the county.

• Internalauditmechanismswerelimitedbut constitutional institutions had the capacity to oversee county operations. Oversight efforts by these institutions were not effective as they should be.

The study’s recommendations included:

• Widely publicised citizen consultativeforums by the County Assembly and establishment of a communication center / customer care desk and website where citizenscanaccessrelevantinformationabout the county government.

• Establishment of a widely publicisedindependent public complaint mechanism that can receive and resolve complaints.

• Model laws anchored on nationallegislation and the Constitution. The most crucial laws were identified as those on procurement, access to information and public participation.

• Establishment of a citizens’ servicecenterandaPerformanceManagementPlan by the County Executive as stipulated intheCountyGovernment’Act,2012.

b) The goal of ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’

This project is being implemented by TI-Kenya in Kwale County for the benefit of citizensandresidentsofthecountywiththeintention of shaping a model, corruption-free county.

Thegoalsof‘Utawalabora,wajibuwetu’are:

• To advocate for county institutions thatare efficient and deliver quality services

• To empower citizens in the county touphold and promote integrity

TI-Kenya intends to build an informed, active population as an effective guarantor of integrity at the county level. Through this project, TI-Kenya also aims to enhance the capacity of non-state actors to participate effectively in promoting accountable governance in Kwale County.

c) Through ‘Utawala bora, wajibu wetu’, TI-Kenya anticipates the following practices in Kwale County:

• Responsible resource management forefficient service delivery at the county level; and,

• Strengthened public participation fordemocratic devolved governance.

Activities include:

• Financial integrity study to map gapsand strengths in the county’s financialsystem

• Public sensitisation and mobilisation inbudget making and expenditure tracking

• Developmentandpublicationofacountyservice charter(s)

• Capacitybuildingoncorruptiondetectionand prevention for Members of theCountyAssembly,MembersoftheCountyExecutive Committee and the public

• Legislativedrafting• Supporting the County Assembly

Representatives Network Against Corruption (CARNAC) in Kwale and advocating for the establishment of a county anti-corruption unit

In order to strengthen public participation for democratic devolved governance, the following initiatives are being undertaken:

• Empowering victims and witnesses ofcorruption to stand up against corruption and associated the vices: TI-Kenya is conducting public awareness/education forums and mobile legal aid clinics targeting the general public.

• Advocacy on access to information foreffective public participation: TI-Kenya is advocating for a county specific freedom of information (FOI) legislation anddevelopmentofamodelFOImonitoringtool for the county. The tool will be used for annual monitoring on the state of access to information in the county.

• Promotingeffectivepublic participation:TI-Kenya is facilitating the formation of, and supporting a citizens’ forum, andcounty budget and economic forum in Kwale County.

• TI-Kenya will also support citizensto lodge administrative petitions to the Kwale County government on matters related to transparency and accountability.

A project advocating for accountability and anti-corruption efforts in Kwale County

To receive free and confidential advice on corruption related cases,Call 0800 720 721 ORSMS22129toll-free*

*callfreefromSafaricomlines

ALAC MOMBASAUjamaaCenter1stfloor,SimbaRoad-OfflinksRoad,Nyali,Mombasa

OppositeKilimaGardens.MobileTel.:0728418822

Email: alacmombasa@gmail.com

HEAD OFFICE A.C.KGardenHouse,WingD

1stNgongAvenue,offBishop’sRoadP.O.Box 198, 00200 City Square

Nairobi, KenyaTel:+254-20-2727763/5,2730324/5Mobile:0722-296589,0733-834659

Fax:+254-20-2729530Website: www.tikenya.org

The publication of this brochure has been funded by the Kingdom of Belgium through the Embassy of Belgium in Nairobi, Kenya. The views expresseddonotnecessarilyreflecttheBelgianGovernment’sofficialpolicies. The contents of this brochure are the sole responsibility of Transparency International Kenya