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By Alex Musikoyo
One year after Kakamega County joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP), many residents say they still struggle to access information about county affairs and to understand how democracy is working in Kenya.
According to a recent Twaweza East Africa report titled “Open Government in Kakamega: Residents’ views and experiences on Open budgets, Citizen participation and Governance,” regardless of age, gender, or background, two-thirds of residents (66%) claim it is difficult to get information about the plans, laws, and budgets of their county government.
One of the core OGP pillars of Kakamega County, when they joined the open government partnership in 2024, is transparency and Access to information. The pillar is important because the county has no existing Access to Information law, so OGP intended to fill the gap, but from the report’s findings, there is still much to be done to achieve this pillar.
According to the report, 64% of Kakamega residents believe that public participation in county decision-making is only a means of informing the public about decisions that have already been made. Even though the vast majority (91%) claim they were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and be heard, the process frequently fails to give them the authority to influence final decisions, even though the officials pledged to address their concerns.
Furthermore, public participation and civic education are discussed in the first pillar of the Kakamega County Government OGP. This includes expanding civic education through community centers and collaborations with civil society organizations, as well as operationalizing the public participation policy that was introduced with the OGP.
However, despite the county’s approval of a public participation policy, the report’s revelation of the opinions of Kakamega residents shows discontent with the procedure and the outcomes of public participation. What might be the obstacle to solving this problem? The leadership of the county government and those in positions of power hold the key to the solution.
Members of the County Assembly (MCA) were ranked highly (34%) among the top three institutions most likely to act in the best interests of citizens, according to the report, which also provided information on the degree of trust that Kakamega residents have in their leaders. The county executive, headed by the governor, was ranked lowest with 4%, while the county parliament came in second.
Despite the existing gaps and challenges, the County Government of Kakamega has taken commendable steps toward promoting open and transparent governance. Notably, Kakamega is among only six out of Kenya’s 47 counties that have joined the Open Government Partnership at the local level, a clear signal of its commitment to accountability and citizen inclusion.
Another major milestone is the launch of the call center, which coincided with the release of this report. This initiative creates a direct channel for residents to raise their concerns, ask questions, and share feedback with policymakers. By doing so, the county is helping to bridge the long-standing gap between citizens and the county executive, improving the flow of information and strengthening trust through dialogue.
Overall, the findings from the Sauti za Wananchi survey highlight both the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in Kakamega’s journey toward open and participatory governance. While the desire for openness is evident, translating this ambition into meaningful, lasting change remains a significant challenge.
To move forward, the county must deepen its commitment to transparency. Information about plans, budgets, and decisions should not be difficult to access. Instead, it should be widely available, proactively shared, and presented in ways that are clear and easy for residents to understand.
Equally important, public participation must go beyond formality. Genuine participation means giving residents a real voice and real influence, not simply inviting them to attend meetings, but empowering them to shape decisions and outcomes. Rebuilding public trust will require consistency, honesty, and clear evidence that when citizens speak, the county government listens and takes action.
Alex Musikoyo is a freelance Journalist, Budget champion, and Media trainer
alexmusikoyo@gmail.com
