Counties to get standardized project management committees under new guidelines

Isaiah Nayika-KNA

The State Department for Devolution has issued guidelines to help the formation of project management committees (PCMs) to counties. 

This comes with a rising need to customize and streamline standard operational procedures, to provide a platform for proper public engagement.

“Development should be for the people by the people. Stemming from this, we now have the standard guidelines which will help counties in the formation of PCMs, Director, State Department for Devolution Emily Imbwaga said.

“If the procedures are duly followed, the public will have a voice in the implementation of government sponsored projects and even donor sponsored ones,” she added.

The procedures will not only ensure more views are captured from the public but also will factor the implementation of projects, to cultivate and realize participatory governance, she said.

Although most projects under funded donor programs have structures that entail PMCs, there have been no standard guidelines any more in county specific projects.

The new guidelines will create efficiency in implementation of projects as it will enhance public engagement.

Gideon Sawe, the Director of Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP), praised the component of public engagement and involvement as stipulated in the guidelines.

“These guidelines will help the public own the projects and hence safeguard them for posterity,” he said.

KDSP Director Human Resource, Imelda Agoi, further called on stakeholders to embrace changes to help steer development to the grassroots.

She was speaking at a workshop that brought together lead officers from key units that coordinate county projects and PMCs under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Programme.