Kenya’s Chief Justice Hon. Martha Koome launches ForumCiv’s report on public policy gaps

The Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon. Martha Koome EGH on May 9, 2024, officially launched a report commissioned by ForumCiv to assess the gaps in the public policy formulation processes in the country.  

The study titled "An Assessment of Public Policy Formulation Capacity Gaps and Capacity Development of Actors in Nakuru, Narok, and Kajiado Counties” was carried out by the National Council for Law Reporting (Kenya Law) between August 2023 and March 2024 with support from ForumCiv through the Public Private Development Partnership Project that is co-implemented with International Labor Organization (ILO).

Chief Justice of Kenya, Hon. Martha Koome, EGH

In her remarks, Justice Koome acknowledged the significant capacity gaps in policy formulation processes at both county level and national level. 

She said, “The findings from this research we are launching today stresses the importance of continuous tailormade trainings for all stakeholders involved in policy development from county officials to members of civil society to the community members.”

She also called for the need to enhance public participation at both levels of government through partnerships between the governments, non-state actors, and development partners.

Jackson Obare, ForumCiv Regional Manager- Eastern and Southern Africa (front)

Findings of the report

The report focused on the thematic areas of education, water and environment, health, HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender and persons with disabilities, and public participation.

The key findings include:

1. There is a disconnect between policies and legislative frameworks in education, water and environment, health, HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender and persons with disabilities, and public participation. Whereas most counties have enacted county laws within the above thematic areas, there needed to be policies to underpin the county laws.  
2. Inadequate or lack of information and poor communication about public participation forums hinder the participation of the community and CSOs in public participation to a large extent. Local administration communication channels for policy processes and public participation are more effective across the three counties.  
3. Technical officers, who include directors, county executive committee members (CECMs), and county chief officers, need more training and capacity building in public policy-making processes.  
4. Financial constraints and a lack of technical expertise in policy formulation were significant barriers across the three counties. Technical expertise refers to the skills required in policy formulation, including problem analysis and assessment, data analysis and research, stakeholder engagement and consultation, policy drafting and impact assessment and evaluation.  

Read more about the findings and recommendations in the full report here: An Assessement of Public Policy Formulation Capacity Gaps & Capacity Development of Actors in Narok, Nakuru, & Kajiado Counties. 

The launch of this report comes close to the one-year anniversary of the memorandum of understanding between ForumCiv, under the Inclusive Growth Programme, and Kenya Law on May 11, 2023.