By Nuru Salim
The national government has begun collecting feedback from citizens across the country on how well government programs and projects are being implemented, with a team from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary currently conducting a public engagement exercise in Kwale County.
Led by the Secretary for Government Programs and Projects Delivery, Musa Machoka, the delegation emphasized the importance of hearing directly from the people in order to better align national projects with the needs and realities on the ground.
Machoka said the government was keen to strengthen public participation, noting that it was no longer enough to sit in offices in Nairobi and make decisions without engaging those most affected by the projects. He pointed out that inadequate funding has been a major contributor to stalled infrastructure initiatives such as roads and dams, and the government is determined to resolve these issues by involving citizens more directly.
βThis is the first of many interactions with the citizens. Weβve started with Kwale, Kilifi, Uasin Gishu and Kakamega, and weβll be visiting every county. Reports gathered from these engagements will not just sit on desks. Immediate action will be taken to improve service delivery,β Machoka said.
The engagement in Kwale took place at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga, and was attended by various stakeholders including County Commissioner Stephen Orinda. He affirmed that public involvement in governance has significantly improved under the current administration, allowing wananchi to influence the direction of government planning and development.
βWe want to know from the public where projects are going well, where weβre falling short, and what should be done to rectify the issues,β said Orinda. βThis kind of feedback will help guide national planning and correct inefficiencies in implementation.β
Among the major projects in Kwale County highlighted during the session was the Kwale-Kinango road, which had previously stalled due to lack of funds but is now back on track. Orinda confirmed that the contractor has been paid and is actively working on the site, with the road expected to be completed by the end of the year under the supervision of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
Other key developments include the multibillion shilling Mwache Dam project, valued at Sh29.3 billion, which had been delayed for years due to compensation disputes involving families affected by relocation. The government is now working closely with local stakeholders to resolve the pending issues and ensure the project progresses as planned. The dam is seen as a game-changer in addressing water scarcity and improving livelihoods especially in Kwale and Mombasa county.
The Shimoni Fish Port, affordable housing projects, and last mile connectivity initiatives were also identified as key government investments aimed at transforming the region. However, like many national projects, they have faced bureaucratic and financial hurdles that have slowed progress.
Officials assured locals that such forums would become regular to ensure the government remains responsive, accountable, and transparent in the delivery of services.
