IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: Transparency International Kenya
YEARS: 2011-2012
GRANT AMOUNT: $25,600
THEME: Local Governance
This PTF supported program was formulated to address the continued exclusion of Kenyan citizens from decision making on public issues that affect their lives. It was noted that the exclusion provided a ripe environment for corruption, diversion of public power and resources to the hands of a few, undermining of public trust in public institutions, creation of unequal opportunities for citizens to participate in development and overall affected the provision of public service. Lack of information to facilitate participation by citizens in the local projects or public sector activities not only increased opportunities for corruption but also led to development that is not responsive to citizenry priorities; the citizens continued to bear the brunt of corruption. The project therefore sought to enhance inclusion and meaningful participation of citizenry in the process of decision making within devolved structures, transparency and accountability by the duty bearers.
The project achieved increased sense amongst participating stakeholders of being part of a Movement, not isolated in their constituencies, and new relationships have developed between TI-Kenya and the participating actors, which will serve other projects and initiatives. A special effort is now called for to produce these in a form that is accessible and usable by a wide and varied audience.
The success of PTF will be judged on whether a rigorous capacity building process produces more convincing advocacy which in turn changes the way government, private sector and civil society respond to poor governance in the delivery of basic service. There are promising signs that the project has been successful in raising awareness about the role of governance in improving service delivery but it is premature to comment before the Pacts have been implemented and project partners have a chance to conceive and implement advocacy. That said, the enthusiasm, amongst a range of stakeholders for the innovative Development pact approach, and its potential effectiveness in mobilizing the demand side for accountable basic service delivery, suggests that the model can be replicated usefully.
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