
Kilifi based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have partnered with Kilifi County government in a bid to serve the community better.
The efforts to forge the working relationship with between the county government, other national government agencies and the non governmental and community based organisations were first initiated by a Peace and Security organisation Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE).
Addressing a forum that was attended by Kilifi Deputy Governor Florence Chibule, KECOSCE Executive Director Phyllis Muema noted that the strong bonding between the Civil Society Organisations and the county government will lead to improved service delivery to locals.
According to Muema, matters revolving around the community, persons with disability, youth women and children should top the partnership, so that social and gender rights are prioritised.
“The county government has promised to fastrack the Youth policy at the Kilifi County Assembly as well as adopt the Public participation regulations, this is a good gesture, definitely Kilifi resident is the direct beneficiary of such efforts,” she noted.
The peace activist also urged the county government to ensure the rights and welfare of the physically challenged remains important aspect in the county government development plans.
“Because of the growing partnership and the need to include stakeholders in running county affairs, there is an urgent need to develop a donor or investor liaison office to ease implementation of new initiatives and development programs from partners,” she added.
The activists and rights defenders in Kilifi county also called for departmental consultation for accountability where dialogue forums are conducted at least quarterly apart from cementing the relationship between the county government, Kilifi resident and the CSOs will also curb corruption, nepotism and discrimination in running of county matters.
Issue of face-lifting the state of Vocational training institutions and initiating more in the county resurfaced with the activists insisting that such initiative will instill fresh life to the youth and young mothers in the county.
“These deliberations are very critical, as Kilifi County government we cannot work in isolation. We recognise the Civil society as critical component in running the county government, they act as a link between the county government and communities at the grassroots level,” said the Deputy Governor.
She noted that all the issues raised are critical for both the county and community growth, promising the CSOs that Kilifi County government will fully implement them.