By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
Busia county assembly has launched the strategic plan that will help in ensuring increase in adoption of research informed legislation, improvement of on-time financial oversight and policy compliance by the executive.
Speaking during the launch at the assembly grounds, Director, planning, State Department of Economic and Planning Leah Chirchir lauded the plan saying it will enable the assembly to be focused on what they want to achieve for the period.
“The assembly is working towards going through the ISO Certification. This will enable them to go to result-based management. They will be able to prepare their performance contracts, appraisals and therefore everybody will have a mandate within the assembly of Busia.” She said
The director urged the stakeholders to focus much on the implementation of the plan so that people can receive good service.
“The work ahead is implementation of the prepared plans. Sensitize everyone so that we can see the result at the end. Let the leadership of the assembly get to monitor, evaluate and report on the progress of the implementation so that they become accountable and transparent to the residents of Busia.” She said.
Busia county speaker Fredirick Odilo said the launched 5 years strategic plan will serve as a road map that charts the constitutional strengthening. This will ensure that the assembly has sustainable funding to carry out its mandate.
“Legislative excellence will focus on ensuring quality, relevance and inclusive legislation takes place in the assembly. On oversight and accountability, this plan will help in ensuring that devolved resources are utilized for the benefit of the people together with enhancing civic participation and trust in our process” he said.
The speaker further said the plan is anchored on 4 pillars that includes institutional strengthening and development which will include continuous training for county assembly staff in legislative drafting, policy analysis, finance, and public participation.
“On quality legislation and policy formulation, there will be an establishment of a fully resourced research and policy unit to support members in drafting laws based on data, research, comparative best practice, and public consultation. This will also include a targeted initiative to address local concerns, ranging from agriculture and health to trade, youth empowerment, and gender inclusion” he said.
Odilo also added that the plan will enhance the functioning of budget and public accounts committees to ensure transparent and efficient resource use. It will also help in implementation of systematic monitoring to track the executive’s compliance with assembly resolutions.
“On citizen engagement and stakeholder participation,the plan will help in creating platforms for residents of Busia, CSOs, business owners and media to offer input at each legislative stage. It will also help in ensuring the people of Busia are well informed and involved, reinforcing the Assembly’s role as representative of the public will.” he said.
The county assembly anticipated by the end of the timeframe to have a minimum 30% increase in the adoption of research-informed legislation.
“We also anticipate to have a 25% improvement in on-time financial oversight and audit follow-up. In citizen engagement, measured through participation in public hearings, town hall meetings, and consultations, we want to have an achievement of more than 50% increase. There is also over 90% policy compliance from the Executive once legislative resolutions are passed that we aim to achieve.” Said the speaker.
Busia county secretary Oscar Juma said the executive will work closely with the assembly to ensure the document has been implemented.
“We need each other as executive and the assembly for our service to the people as the leadership of the county to be better. This launch is also a challenge to us as an executive side, that we can learn much that will also help us to streamline our services in a better way” he said.
