New law forces Kiambu government to engage residents before implementing their agenda.

Following the enactment of the Community and Neighbourhood Association Engagement Act 2017 that was sponsored by Kahawa Sukari Ward MCA Eng. Peter Karanja Geche, it will now be mandatory for Kiambu County Government to collaborate with residents associations on various issues aimed at enhancing service delivery.

The meeting was attended by over 70 representatives of various Resident Associations and community based organizations in Kiambu County. Both the County Assembly and County Executive of Kiambu County Government were well represented by senior officers who engaged and competently responded to the various questions raised by participants.

Residents of Kiambu have been therefore encouraged to take advantage of the law to address the various service delivery challenges they have been facing.

Speaking at the meeting organised by the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) with Resident Associations in Kiambu County to discuss key highlights of the Act, its benefits and effective implementation, the Chief Officer, Department of Land, Housing and Physical Planning Mr. David Gatimu, expressed optimism that the law will streamline participation by Resident 

Associations on matters affecting them hence leading to better services.

On his part, KARA CEO, Mr. Ochieng’ had this to say: “We are determined to strengthen the voice of resident associations on the governance agenda in Kenya and having a law recognizing and promoting their engagement is one way of doing so. We intend to have all the Counties enact and implement similar laws.”

The key objectives of the Act include:

• Establish a legal framework for the engagement, promotion and facilitation of community and neighbourhood associations in their support, co-operation and collaborative efforts with the County Government in the delivery of services.
• Enhance public participation in the decision making by the County Government especially with regard to service delivery and thus give effect Articles 10 and 174 of the Constitution.
• Recognise and facilitate community and neighborhood initiatives in complementing county government’s services including security, waste management, water, sanitation, public health and other utility provision.
•  Establish a recognition framework for the community and neighborhood associations.
• Provide for competencies and responsibilities of the community and neighborhood associations.
• Establish framework for strengthening capacities and synergy of community and neighborhood associations to enforce regulations aimed at enhancing service provision.