Following community uproar especially in Kajiado North over some clauses in the finance bill 2023, Elveza Media team visited Kajiado county assembly to request for the Hansard reports related to the finance bill 2024 through the office of the clerk.
Our formal request was accepted but requested to wait for the approval of the assembly speaker after the house comes back from recess on 17 September 2024. Kajiado county assembly in it’s official online portal states accountability and transparency as some of its core values. The assembly in the same portal acknowledges that official reports should be published within 48 hours after every plenary Assembly sitting.
However, a closer look at the assembly online portal shows lack of transparency. Not a single Hansard report has been published in the portal since the year 2021. Hansard reports were however published between the year 2013 – 2020.
Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 establishes the citizens right of access to public information. Hansard report is a public document and access to it should not be determined by approval of an individual.
Any request to provide Hansard reports by any electorate whether educated, poor, illiterate should be done instantly by the Hansard department unless if hindered by technical challenges which should be explained properly.
“The current members of the county assembly have also failed in guaranteeing Kajiado residents access to public information. How come they haven’t noticed publishing of Hansard reports has not been taking place for two years since they were sworn in?” James Kang’ari who is eagerly waiting for the Hansard reports said
