Letter to Kenyan Youth

CIDP PROCESS: HOW TO HELP YOUR GOVERNMENT TO GOVERN

Dear Kenyan Youth and Friends of the Youth,

We have a new government now, thank you for voting peacefully. It is time to help it Govern.

Public consultation: this is one of the most important rights guaranteed under our Constitution. The Government cannot make any plans without consulting the citizens. Unfortunately, many of our youth do not make use of this powerful opportunity to influence their own government. Let us change this.

How? One of the most important opportunities is by participation in the CIDP development process.
What is CIDP? “County Integrated Development Plan” this is the plan that describes what your County Government will do over the next five years. Every County has a CIDP. The CIDP is based on national plans but must reflect the priorities of the County citizens.
How do I take part in CIDP development? The process of CIDP has already started in most Counties. County Governments are required to announce the times for public consultation on different sectors and, later, on the entire plan. It is important You attend these events whenever you get the chance.
How will I know? Keep checking on your County website. Call your CEC for Finance or the County Planning Officer. You can’t get through? Write, email, facebook, twitter. Call your MCA. Tell them you want to be part of the CIDP process. Remember this is your right.
I have been invited to a public consultation, now what? Prepare what you will say (see ideas below). If possible, organize to attend as a group and ask one or two people to speak on your behalf. If you are part of a group: a CBO, Women’s Group, SACCO, even a school, make arrangements to attend together.
Remember: the window for CIDP development opens only once every five years. That time is now. If you don’t get your voice heard over the next three months you will have to wait until 2027. The earlier you take part the better. The CIDP becomes much harder to change towards the end.
I plan to attend the next CIDP public consultation; what should I say? A few ideas are listed below. You can borrow from them or come up with new ones. But the principles are simple:

• Think ‘selfish’ for What would you like the Government to do for you?
• Think of the leaders you voted for. What arguments or promises, convinced you to vote for them? What did they promise that you would like to see implemented? Write it
• The CIDP is defined in projects and programs. What development projects would you like to see implemented in your County or Sub County?
• What about the political Party that won the elections? What promises did they make that you would like them to carry out? Remember, even if you didn’t vote for the wining party,

the new Government is your Government and you have the same right to get results from them as anyone else. 

• Make simple notes to use during the consultation
• When making your presentation, be brief and precise. If possible type up your notes and Be polite and respectful in your language and presentation ALWAYS.

How much money should we demand be budgeted for each of our requests? The amount of money is not important at this stage. The County Government has qualified staff whose job is to work out the financial implications of all CIDP projects and programs. For youth, the most important thing is to ensure you wishes and intents are reflected in the language of the CIDP. These intentions are the ones used to generate the budget. If they are missing, it is likely that no money will be set aside.

Below is a possible ‘wish list’ that you can borrow from. It is based on the most important promises that our Government has recently made to Kenya’s youth.