Youth now participate in budget-making and project development through the Sauti Yetu ICT project in Kwale county.
The Sh43 million European Union-funded project was started in 2013.
The participation is unlike the previous tradition where residents did not attend public participation meetings organised by the county government.
The project implemented by Plan International Kenya and the county government is yielding fruit, says Kwale human right network coordinator George Jaramba.
Residents have been demanding answers about projects in their areas and ejecting contractors doing shoddy jobs.
“This is a milestone in implementing the programme.The project has created awareness among youth, who for a long time have shied away from participating in governance,” Jaramba said.
He said yesterday youth can propose projects they deem fit. “They keep their leaders on their toes, depending on the information they get from the project workers,” Jaramba said.
He spoke at the ACK guest house in Likoni during a two-day workshop on the project. Civil society groups, the Kwale county government, Plan International and trainers attended.
Jaramba asked the county government and Plan International to develop an ICT portal to ensure youth get timely information from the executive and the assembly.
“Kwale people want to know how many bills, laws and motions have been passed in the assembly. It is only through the ICT portal that we will make it happen,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Sauti ya Wanawake chairperson Asha Chimweri. She said after the training by Plan International, residents are positively participating in the budget-making process.
“At least now we can see residents giving views on priority projects, unlike before when politicians proposed and forced projects on them,” she said.
The project allows youth to monitor and participate in county projects and actively participate in governance and accountability.
Msambweni Human Right Watch finance officer Changani Salim said, “Where the county government project is not in line with the residents’ proposal, the youth oppose it.” Plan International has brought together 80 youth groups to drive the project implementation.
