The National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) has launched a nationwide public participation exercise on the Public Participation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 44), 2025, marking a significant step toward strengthening citizen involvement in governance and law-making.
The Bill, co-sponsored by Rarieda MP, Hon. Otiende Amollo, and Ainabkoi MP, Hon. Samuel Chepkonga, seeks to establish a clear legal framework to guide how public participation is conducted across government institutions.
To facilitate the exercise, the Committee has deployed three teams to different regions of the country to collect views from wananchi on the proposed law.
Cluster One, led by Committee Chairperson Hon. George Murugara and comprising Hon. Gladys Boss, Hon. Farah Maalim, Hon. Aden M. Daud, and Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi, began its engagements at the Tana Delta Education Centre in Garsen Constituency, Tana River County. The team later proceeded to the Malindi Municipal Hall in Kilifi County.
Cluster Two is led by Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Mwengi Mutuse and includes Hon. Suleika Harun, Hon. Timothy Kipchumba, Hon. T.J. Kajwang’, and Hon. Michael Muchira. The team is covering the Eastern and Central regions, with initial forums held at Wote Green Park Gardens in Makueni County and Machakos Social Hall in Machakos County.
Cluster Three, which includes the Bill’s co-sponsor Hon. Otiende Amollo, Nominated MP, Hon. Harold Kimuge, and West Mugirango MP Hon. Stephen Mogaka, commenced its tour in Nakuru County. Public forums were held at the Kenya Red Cross Society Hall in Nakuru, followed by sessions at the ACK Hall in Kericho, West Mugirango NG-CDF Hall in Nyamira County, and the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre in Kisii County.
The exercise will continue across other regions as the Committee seeks to gather comprehensive public views to refine the Bill and entrench meaningful citizen participation in governance.
By Anthony Solly
