Member since 2025
Kakamega recently joined 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.
