The County Government of Siaya on Thursday hosted Transparency International (TI) Kenya officials for a high-level engagement aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and citizen participation in county affairs.
Mr. Ronald Adika, the Project Assistant at TI Kenya, led the discussions that brought together officials from various county departments to explore collaborative strategies for promoting transparency and curbing corruption.
TI Kenya, a globally recognized anti-corruption watchdog, focuses on promoting a corruption-free society through four strategic pillars — citizens’ demand and oversight, natural resources and governance, public finance and management, and institutional development.
During the forum, Mr. Adika outlined the organization’s goals and approaches, emphasizing the importance of joint initiatives between TI Kenya and the Siaya County Government. The engagement sought to lay the groundwork for a joint proposal that addresses governance challenges and bridges accountability gaps across county operations.
He further highlighted ongoing interventions under the Usawa Mashinani Project – Phase 3, which aims to foster transparent governance and inclusive decision-making. The initiative engages county officials, the County Assembly, and youth groups in governance processes. As part of this, youths from institutions such as Maseno University have been trained on budget processes at both county and national levels to enhance their participation in governance and budget reviews.
Among TI Kenya’s core objectives are:
Empowering marginalized groups to confront corruption and demand accountability.
Enhancing transparency and accountability mechanisms within county systems.
Improving access to justice for underrepresented and vulnerable communities.
Speaking during the engagement, Mr. Jared Abayo, Siaya County’s Director of Public Participation and Governance, elaborated on the Public Participation Policy, noting persistent challenges such as limited civic education and low citizen involvement in budget formulation.
“While frameworks for public participation exist, meaningful engagement is still hampered by inadequate awareness and the delayed dissemination of information,” Abayo said, adding that accessible, timely, and valid information is key to quality citizen participation.
Participants echoed similar sentiments, urging the county to improve public communication and ensure that citizen inputs are reflected in development priorities.
In conclusion, TI Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the County Government, the County Assembly, and local communities to entrench transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in Siaya.
“Our partnership with Siaya County marks a critical step toward building stronger, more transparent institutions that truly serve the people,” Mr. Adika noted.
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