County Legislative Tracker launched in Kenya to help promote transparency
Transparency and accessibility in government proceedings are vital pillars in the digital age. According to the Open Government Partnership – Open Parliaments Fact Sheet, an open parliament is one that encourages transparency, participation, and accountability throughout the legislative process. Ensuring access to legislative information and creating mechanisms for public participation are critical to building an open, trusting relationship with citizens. Hence, promoting legislative openness and transparency by providing accessible, real-time information on county-level legislative activities and decisions is crucial for fostering informed public participation and accountability in local governance in Kenya.
The County Legislative Tracker (CLT) therefore emerges as a powerful tool that serves as a bridge between citizens and their local governments. The CLT is an online tracking database that collects data and information from the counties to aid in in keeping track of county legislations. It provides real time updates on legislative activities within a county. The comprehensive insights into the workings of county governments empowers residents and the senate – who is the custodian of the county governments according to Article 96 of the constitution - to monitor decisions that directly impact their communities.
The CLT is a comprehensive tool designed to monitor and analyse legislative activities within county governments. The primary objective is to provide transparency by keeping the senate and members of the public informed about the proposed laws, amendments and vital decisions that impact local communities. Apart from enabling the senate and citizens to stay informed, it enhances openness and fosters engagement, thus promoting active participation in the process of democracy.
This pioneering initiative was developed by the Senate Liaison Office (SLO) and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). The main aim is to provide a centralised platform where the legislative processes across all counties in Kenya can be monitored.
The online database tracks county legislations in a comprehensive digital system designed to capture and display the progress of the bills and legislations within each county. The objective is to make sure legislative information is accessible to the public so that citizens, policymakers, and researchers can stay informed about the ongoing activities of the legislature in specific counties.
Features and how the CLT functions
- The platform serves as a centralised information hub where each citizen can access bills and legislations either enacted or under consideration and monitor them. The information can be monitored in any of the counties in Kenya.
- The CLT was developed with the collaboration of county assembly staff. The information from the database is updated regularly for accuracy. The collaboration is key in ensuring that the information from the database is reliable and current.
- The interface features intuitive filters that make it easy for users to search and retrieve specific information without struggle. This user-friendly interface is crucial for promoting participation in matters governance and civic engagement.
- The CLT can retrieve data from the internet which enhances its reliability and functionality. Moreover, the administrators can update it to ensure that it is timely and comprehensive.
How to navigate the CLT online database
To access the system, follow the following steps:
- Visit the online database.
- Download the content of interest: Click on “Download content of interest” to navigate the homepage for bills and acts.
Dashboard overview
After successfully accessing the dashboard by downloading the content of interest, you will find a user-friendly interface to facilitate easy navigation and information retrieval.
Navigation panels
Bills: Follow the bill that is under consideration.
Acts: This segment has all the legislations enacted.
Topics: You can explore all the legislative topics.
Bill sponsors: Here you can identify the sponsor of a specific bill.
Role in the system: There are distinct roles in the system for accuracy and reliability in data entry and approval processes.
Article 96 of the Constitution of Kenya mandates the senate to safeguard the counties’ interests and those of their governments. Providing this informative and interactive platform means that the senate is helping to foster transparency and accountability of this legislative processes at county level. The use of an online database to track county legislations is significant in enhancing transparency and citizen engagement in Kenya’s structure of devolved governance. Incorporating technology to centralise legislative information empowers the citizens with knowledge needed to actively engage in matters governance within their counties. Continued support and cooperation among the stakeholders involved is expected to play a key role in ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of this database.
Broadly, this database is envisaged to not only serve as a tool to monitor legislative activities only but also reinforces the commitment of Kenya to democratic principles and accountable governance.
