The National Federation of PBOs and Global Partnership Organization (GPO) calls on its members across the country to participate in public participation as per the National Assembly Invitation to all for Public participation. The National Assembly has invited members of the public to participate in public hearings and submit views on the proposed removal of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office. In a gazette notice on Wednesday, participants have been allowed to make oral or written submissions during the public hearings set to be held on Friday, October 4 across the country from 8 am to 5 pm. Some of the venues include the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) where constituents from Westlands, Dagoretti North and South, Lang’at, Kibra, Roysambu, Kasarani, Ruaraka, Embakasi North, South, East and West, Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe and Mathare will converge.
Constituents in Gatundu North and South, Juja, Thika, Ruiru, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kiambaa, Kabete, Kikuyu, Kabete, Limuru and Lari will converge at the Kiambu Social Hall.
Kenyans can access the submission form template at the National Assembly’s website.
Members of Parliament tabled a motion of impeachment before the National Assembly on Tuesday calling for Gachagua’s ouster presenting 10 charges he will be expected to answer.
The motion presented by Kibwezi West MP Eckomas Mwengi had been signed by 291 legislators, allowing it to sail to the resolution stage.
Public participation is defined by the International Association for Public Participation as the involvement of those affected by a decision in the decision-making process. Public participation encompasses a range of public involvement, from simply informing people about what government is doing to delegating decisions to the public.1 Public participation is one of the foundational principles of democracy. Democracy is premised on the idea that all citizens are equally entitled to have a say in decisions affecting their lives. Citizens’ participation in government decision-making is fundamental to the functioning of a democratic system of governance as stated in chapter one of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Public participation has many benefits some of which are: citizen empowerment; the generation of new, diverse and innovative ideas and actions; enhancement of citizen government relations; legitimation of government programs, appropriate prioritization of projects; improved delivery of public services and; governments responsiveness.2 The importance of public participation is captured in Article 118 of the Constitution, which mandates Parliament to ‘facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of Parliament and its committees’. Citizen involvement in policy-making and implementation strengthens and deepens good governance.
The National Federation of Public Benefits Organizations popularly known as PBOs Federation is established under section 21 of the Public benefits Organizations Act 2013 as an umbrella organization of ALL registered PBOs and self-regulation forums. The functions of the PBOs Federation include promoting self-regulation, coordinating and monitoring the self-regulation forums. We are urging our members to also assist mobilize public to always participate in public participation processes. We are committed to working for the betterment of our society and the world at large. Thank you, Stephen K. Cheboi- National Chairman: Our Contacts: 0721843924 /0722450798 /0733298969.
