The County Government of Siaya and the State Department for Devolution held a workshop to discuss the role of Project Management Committees (PMCs) and the challenges affecting the effective implementation of county projects.
Project Management Committees, which are ward-based, comprise seven to ten members, including persons with disabilities, development committee representatives, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
These committees are chaired by ward administrators and supervised by County Executive Committee Members (CECMs).
The success of these committees requires effective mobilization to ensure community participation, proper civic education, and democratic elections for selecting committee members. However, challenges such as delayed project payments, community disputes, contractors not being on-site at the required times, and administrative bottlenecks often hinder progress.
The Nyalore administration’s revised Project Implementation Policy of 2023 outlines key PMC responsibilities, including oversight and direction to ensure projects align with objectives, as well as monitoring and evaluation to track progress, identify potential issues, and assess performance.
PMCs also make decisions related to project scope, budget, and schedules. They manage risks by identifying and mitigating factors that could stall projects.
Additionally, they ensure effective communication and reporting, providing regular updates to stakeholders, including donors and partners.
The State Department for Devolution, which oversees projects following the promulgation of the Constitution of 2010, aims to ensure county projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality and scope. Projects must be executed by individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools, as stipulated in the County Government PMC Act of 2023. The national government enforces these guidelines to ensure projects are completed as planned.
The new PMC framework also seeks to ensure timely project payments and proper handover to user departments upon completion. However, challenges such as bureaucratic delays and community wrangles continue to pose significant obstacles.
Today’s workshop was co-chaired by the CECM for Governance, Administration, and ICT, Mr. Agunda Ochanda, and Assistant Director, State Department for Devolution, Mr. Lutta Chepkwony. It was moderated by Deputy Director for Public Participation, Mr. John Omiti.
Key attendees included CECMs Dr. Martin K’Onyango (Health and Sanitation), Mr. Sylvester K’Okoth (Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock, and Fisheries), and Madam Anjeline Oduor (Tourism, Sports, Arts, and Culture). Chief Officers, led by Hon. Walter Okelo (Governance, Administration, and ICT) and Dr. Samuel Omondi (Health and Sanitation), were also present, alongside Directors Mr. Chrispine Omondi (Public Communication), Mr. George Okello (Governance), and Mr. Francis Aola (Disaster Management). Other attendees included Deputy Director of Finance Mr. Cornel Otieno, officers from the County Assembly of Siaya, sub-county administrators, ward administrators, and county officials overseeing project implementation at various levels.
