JIM Caucus shifts focus to citizen uptake of government programmes

The Jamii Imara Mashinani (JIM) Caucus is shifting its focus towards assisting citizens in accessing and utilizing government programmes, following a series of engagements that revealed the need to move beyond merely raising public awareness to actually adopting available services. JIM Chairperson, Mary Muthoni, revealed this during a retreat in Kajiado County, aimed at evaluating the Caucus' first year and outlining its future plans.

Muthoni disclosed that JIM had engaged with citizens across 14 counties, hosting 22 meetings, providing direct interfaces for individuals to converse with high-ranking government officials, seek information, and offer feedback on service delivery. She emphasized that the Caucus intends to enhance its two-way engagement model, where the government elucidates its programmes while simultaneously listening to citizens' experiences, concerns, and priorities.

Muthoni highlighted significant progress in key government initiatives, such as registering over 32 million Kenyans with the Social Health Authority and disbursing more than KSh5.5 billion to 122,000 young entrepreneurs. Additionally, more than 6,000 kilometres of roads are currently under construction. The retreat was attended by various officials, including Winnie Ngumi, chairperson of the Kenya National Highways Authority, Peter Mucendu, JIM convener, Uncle Sam, Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive officer, Emilio Mugo, chairperson of the National Environmental Management Authority, Dr Charles Githinji, chairperson of Kenya Biovax, and Patrick Musili Mbangula, chairperson of the Kenya Water Institute, among others.