A new citizen-centric module designed to enhance social accountability in public contracting and procurement has been unveiled in Nairobi.
The initiative brings together stakeholders from county and national governments, as well as civil society organisations involved in oversight of public expenditure.
The module, developed by the Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) with support from Transparency International Kenya, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and co-funded by the European Union, aims to prevent, detect, and report corruption in public contracting processes.
Speaking at the launch, Anthony Buluma, Chief Executive Officer of the Young Parliamentarians Association, emphasised the need for accountability to be a daily practice rather than an occasional event.
He described the module as a starting point for increased citizen involvement in government activities.
“Accountability is not an event; it should be a culture,” Buluma said.
He added that leaders should view citizen engagement as constructive participation rather than criticism.
Diana Gichengo, Executive Director of TISA, highlighted that public procurement is the largest channel for government spending in Kenya and plays a central role in national development.
She noted that procurement directly affects essential services, including schools, hospitals, roads, and water systems, and stressed the importance of addressing mismanagement to ensure resources serve their intended purposes.
Buluma also pledged to encourage young parliamentarians to support the implementation of the module and called on all stakeholders to actively engage in realising its recommendations.
Viola Ochola, Director of Access to Information at the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), Government of Kenya, noted that corruption is more likely to occur where transparency is limited, processes are unclear, and oversight is weak.
She said the CAJ promotes transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in public institutions and handles complaints related to administrative inefficiencies.
Ochola expressed hope that the new module would empower citizens to participate more actively in governance and help address issues before they escalate.
