KECOSCE is implementing the Amkeni Wakenya Project with support from the UNDP that aims at strengthening civil society voices in policy making and enhancing accountability at the County level in Kilifi. he project has enabled the formation of 18 county Project Management Committees (PMC) who are well informed about their roles and functions. This has been made possible through trainings by budget trainer of trainers who have become trainers in their respective wards. “In the past some members of the county PMCs used to be handpicked by ward administrators then used to rubberstamp whatever projects were being implemented without understanding what they were offering oversight against. However, this has since changed since we engaged with KECOSCE who trained me on the budget process and our role as the community. This enabled me to sensitize other community members on the same – right now the community understands the role of PMCs, thanks to our training that we cascade down to other community members. Further, even those who have no idea of their roles are always given an insight by some of us who understand the monitoring process” remarked Peter Vuko, a budget TOT from Kaloleni ward. The trainings by KECOSCE have led to establishment of PMCs in areas where none existed before the intervention. Efforts by TOTs makes it possible to have well Informed project management committees (PMCs) who know their roles and what to monitor.

Another budget TOT from Bamba ward who was trained on economic planning, budget cycle, social accountability, budget analysis and how to identify different projects in the county budget mobilized other community members to track projects in their community. This led to resumption of construction on stalled projects and constitution of PMCs for these projects. “We identified all projects that had been budgeted for but had either been stalled or were not implemented. So we formed ourselves into PMCs to make follow-ups these projects, some that stalled since 2014/15 financial year. As a result, we made follow-ups Paziani ECD center and Muyuni dispensary, thereafter we engaged with the county administration to find out why the projects had stalled despite being budgeted for. Construction on these projects has since started. Another project that we made follow-ups on is a community crush which is funded by the ward development fund which is now waiting to be handed over to the community after being concluded”, she stated. These efforts have increased public engagement in local development process and ensured quality projects are delivered by contractors on the ground and public resources are utilized efficiently and to the satisfaction of the community.