NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat has embarked on the second phase of the dissemination of the country’s second APRM Country Review Report.

This phase of the dissemination exercise targets to cover 16 counties among them Bomet, Laikipia, Murang’a, Samburu, Tana River, Makueni, Embu, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Vihiga, Elgeyo Marakwet, Transnzoia and Baringo.

Two teams from the Secretariat visited Kwale and Narok Counties on 14^th September 2020 and they were led by NGC Members Hon. Elias Mbau and Mr. Michael Kisilu respectively.

Dissemination of the Country Review Report is the last stage of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process. APRM process is an important framework for good governance in Africa aimed at championing transformative leadership through the sharing of experience amongst member countries.

In Kwale county, the team was received by the Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Alexander Mativo, who ushered them into H. E Governor Salim Mvurya’s office for a courtesy call. The governor shared the success stories of Kwale County which has been enabled by devolution.

In Narok County, the team was received by the County Commissioner Mr. Evans Achoki before meeting the county leadership and lastly engaging the public, non-state actors and officials from both levels of government on the report at Maasai Mara University amphitheater.

The Report

Kenya is the first country to submit voluntarily to a second comprehensive governance review. Kenya was first reviewed in 2006 under the leadership of the former president H.E. Mwai Kibaki.

In the second review, Kenya has been commended for various developments, key among them being the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution, 2010 that ushered in the devolved system of government.

Despite the achievements, the report highlights areas that the country needs to improve on including persistent corruption, gender imbalance, insecurity and terrorism.

Peer Reviews

The Secretariat in collaboration with numerous state agencies has established a County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) as a way of cascading the APRM and governance principles to the counties and ensuring implementation of the National Program of Action.

CPRM is a voluntary governance “self-assessment” by Kenyan counties to share experiences, reinforce best practices, identify deficiencies, and assess capacity building needs to foster policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated county economic integration.

Both Kwale and Narok counties have committed to be reviewed once the CPRM is rolled out because it will give an accurate account of the progress made by the counties since the start of devolution. CPRM also offers a unique platform for mutual learning for the counties.

Narok County commissioner Evans Achoki further called for peer review and mutual learning among government institutions.