Today, the County Government of Kakamega in Kenya excitingly launches its membership as part of CoST’s growing global network. 

Kakamega joins with a desire to transform vital areas, including planning and design, compliance with laws and standards, private sector engagement and coordination with government agencies. This will support the improvement in project timelines and quality, implementation of projects and citizen feedback. 

As a member, they plan to:

• increase civic engagement to monitor data, project implementation and support sector reforms, including through regular citizen forums; 
• issue a formal disclosure mandate to facilitation data publication; 
• strengthen internal audit function and oversight through cross-sector committees to review and report on financial and operational processes on infrastructure projects; 
• train county officials, civil society organisations and private sector on ethics, transparency and accountability; 
• establish a performance management framework tied to delivery metrics; 
• conduct annual reviews to monitor performance, inform decision making and budget allocations; 
• publish data on 500 infrastructure projects in their first year of membership, and have already identified several projects to focus on across governance, health, public works and WASH.  

At the launch, the H.E. Hon FCPA Fernandes Barasa OGW, Governor of Kakamega County said “We are reaching a major milestone in instituting a foundation of transparency…. As the first county in Kenya (to join CoST), we cherish this moment even as we remain conscious of the heavy responsibility of remaining true to the principles of accountability and the values of CoST…By embracing CoST, Kakamega County joins other reform-driven sub-national governments and nations around the world in affirming that open data, citizen participation and independent assurance are the cornerstones of sustainable development… This initiative is not just a signature on paper, but a practical step towards reducing wastage, curbing corruption, and delivering infrastructure that truly transforms lives.”

CoST’s Board was impressed with Kakamega’s membership application which highlighted high-level political support from the Cabinet, Governor, and the Head of Public Service/Country Secretary, as well as its strong legal and institutional framework and membership with the Open Government Partnership. Their OGP commitments include areas vital to their CoST membership, such as climate change, public participation and access to information. 

Kakamega is the 10th largest county out of 47 in Kenya, with a population of two million people, and over $28.68 million – 20.7% of their budget – allocated to infrastructure. Transport, education and WASH are key infrastructure sectors for them. CoST Kakamega is hosted by The Government of Kakamega County’s Department of Public Service and County Administration and Roads, Energy, and Public Works. 

The new member is committed to implementing CoST’s tools, standards and approach, and has begun this commitment with a flying start. Alongside the launch, this week, the CoST International Secretariat has provided technical assistance through a two day training session to the new Multi-Stakeholder Group. This training covered an induction on CoST’s tools, standards and approach, and the creation of an annual workplan to facilitate the implementation of Kakamega’s membership commitments. During this trip, CoST has also held strategic meetings with key sector representatives including the Governor, County Secretary, development partners and private sector players. 

The launch included representatives from the private sector, civil society, County Executive Committee Members for Public Service and Administration and Roads, and the County Secretary and Head of Public Service. 

Kakamega joins new members, Cali and Zambia, who have also joined CoST this year. Read more about our members in Africa, including our new Uganda impact story, our recent Malawi impact story, Kaduna’s new portal and our Africa Regional Manager’s speaking appearance, highlighting our work with the private sector.