Hatua Likoni in partnership with the Likoni Civic Education Network seeks to gather public opinion in Likoni and create a development proposal that will guide the advocacy efforts of Likoni’s representatives in the county assembly.
“As we shift our focus to the new system of devolved government we anticipate new challenges. Likoni is isolated by the ferry and therefore easy to neglect. It also had low voter registration and voter turnout rates making it less politically significant than other parts of Mombasa. To ensure Likoni resident’s development agendas are given attention we believe we must work to gather public views and compile a proposal which our newly elected county assembly representatives can use to advocate on our community’s behalf.” Said Gabrielle Fondiller, Hatua Likoni’s Director.
The importance of putting politics behind the Community and coming together to focus on development, The need for public participation as the new government selects those who will be appointed as Likoni’s local representatives under the new constitution, including the sub county administrator and ward forum representatives and Initial planning for village forums to collect views on development needs throughout Likoni.
The Likoni Civic Education Network asked for support from the Community Leaders in their efforts to gather public opinion in Likoni and create the development proposal. The plan will include a prioritized list of infrastructure and services needed in Likoni Community which the people wish to see addressed by the county government.
The Likoni Civic Education Network seeks to compile this plan in close collaboration with Likoni’s 5 newly elected county assembly members and Likoni’s 72 Village Elders. With help from community stakeholders they aim to assist each Village Elder to host a public discussion forum, then record and analyze the development priorities expressed within each forum and compile a detailed and prioritized development plan to be submitted to the county government through our representatives. There after , they will conduct public education to inform Likoni residents of the plan’s contents and encourage the community to monitor its implementation.
During each village forum they will also share information on aspects of devolved government which require immediate public participation, including nomination of sub-county administrators, CDF committee members and ward forum members. By helping to spread information about how devolution will be implemented they hope to help the community provide input throughout the process, rather than become aware of these issues only after decisions have been made.
The Likoni Civic Education Network as well seeks to help our community understand the role of County government and each individual’s role as an advocate for effective and accountable local government.
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