PSC Chairperson Mr Stephen Kirogo addresses delegates during the 7th Annual Conference of Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and holders of Independent Offices at the Three Steers Hotel in Meru county on 10th October 2018
The Forum for Chairpersons of Constitutional Commissions and holders of Independent Offices held its 7th annual conference in Meru County from 10th to 12th October 2018 to deliberate on effective ways to promote public participation in governance.
President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the forum on its third day at Meru National Polytechnic.
In attendance were chairpersons, commissioners and senior officers from 16 Commissions and independent Offices. Delegates converged in Meru from 11th to 12th October 2018. The forum provided a platform for constitutional offices to share knowledge, experiences and challenges encountered in the course of discharging their various mandates to the citizens. It also pursued ways of integrating and mainstreaming the marginalized groups in governance through public participation.
The members meet annually to review the status of resolutions agreed in the preceding conferences.
PSC chairperson Stephen Kirogo addressed the opening session of the forum and said that citizens expect excellent services from all constitutional commissions and independent offices. He reiterated the importance of a citizen-centric approach to solve their problems.
“Public Service is about ensuring that the people we serve get treatment when they are sick, and that there is also food security,” said Mr. Kirogo. On public participation in governance, Mr Kirogo, underscored the need to exploit and leverage on social media to reach as many people as possible.
The forum chairperson who is also the chairperson of the Teachers Service Commission Dr Lydia Nzomo challenged each commission and independent office to sensitize the public on their respective mandates. “Interaction with the public is paramount if we are to get feedback on ways to improve our roles as Commissions and independent Offices,” said Dr. Nzomo.
She expressed appreciation for the support rendered by partner commissions in ensuring the conference was a success as she lobbied for establishment of a permanent forum secretariat to manage members’ logistics.
Public Service Commission was represented by Commissioners Lawrence Nyalle, Veronica Birgen, Catherine Omweno, Deputy Commission Secretary (Technical Services) Ms Jane Chege, Chief Commission Council Ms Jacqueline Manani, Assistant Director Compliance & Quality Assurance Mr Francis Lemarkat and Assistant Director Human Resource Management & Development Ms Ethel Bulili. The commission also participated in the exhibition that was held on the sidelines of the conference.