The National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) has commenced a nationwide public participation exercise on the Public Participation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 44), 2025, in a move aimed at strengthening citizen engagement in governance and law-making.

The Bill, co-sponsored by Rarieda MP, Hon. Otiende Amollo and Ainabkoi MP, Hon. Samuel Chepkonga seeks to provide a  legal framework to guide how public participation is conducted across government institutions.

The Committee has deployed three teams to traverse sampled regions across the country, collecting views from wananchi on the proposed law. 

One team comprising of the co-sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Otiende Amollo, nominted MP, Hon. Harold Kimuge, and West Mugirango MP, Hon. Stephen Mogaka began its tour in Nakuru County, where the first forum was held at the Kenya Red Cross Society Hall in Nakuru.

Members of the public in Nakuru raised concerns over the accessibility of the Bill to persons with disabilities. Harold Otieno noted that the current format of the Bill does not adequately cater to the visually impaired and the deaf, calling for the inclusion of braille versions and sign language interpretation.

Echoing the same, a participant identified as Obama, a person living with disability from Soilo, urged the Committee to ensure inclusivity in the process. 

“Leave no one behind. The public participation process should be inclusive to persons living with disabilities,” he said.

Participants also faulted the timelines given for public participation, terming them too short and rushed. They proposed that notices for such exercises be issued at least two weeks in advance to allow for meaningful engagement.

Additionally, concerns were raised about low public awareness, with Ms. Gladwel Mwaura noting that the turnout in Nakuru did not reflect the county’s population. She called for enhanced civic education and clearer guidelines on the threshold required for public participation to be considered adequate.

There were also proposals to centralize the selection of venues and provide avenues for the public to petition Parliament even after the participation forums

While some participants suggested that members of the public be facilitated to attend the forums, the Committee cautioned against financial inducements. 

Members noted that such facilitation could be construed as a form of corruption and may compromise the integrity and objectivity of the process.

The public further condemned the disruption of participation forums by hired goons, urging the Bill to introduce punitive measures against individuals and sponsors who interfere with the exercise.

The Committee later proceeded to Kericho County, where residents reiterated the need for increased sensitization ahead of public participation forums. They recommended the use of local administrative structures, such as chiefs, to disseminate information at least two weeks prior to the meetings.

Participants also emphasized the need to support individuals traveling from remote areas to attend the forums, noting that many incur significant costs to participate in the process.

Mr. Paul Biyegon, a representative of persons with disabilities, stressed the importance of inclusivity for those with hearing impairments, calling for interpreters, and accessible documentation. 

“You have to make sure that all abled people are included in this process,” insisted Mr. Biyegon

Residents further proposed that public participation should not be limited to isolated forums but be integrated throughout the policy-making cycle, from drafting to implementation.

Speaking during the sessions, Hon. Otiende Amollo acknowledged the need to go beyond the constitutional provisions that recognize English and Kiswahili as official languages. 

"As much as we are guided by article 7 of the Constitution, which prescribes English and Kiswahili as our official languages. We must also be open to incorporating sign language and local dialects to reach every Kenyan, " noted Hon. Otiende

He welcomed the views presented by the public, assuring participants that their recommendations would be considered and, where appropriate, incorporated into the Bill before its passage.

The legislators, however, cautioned that all proposals must align with existing legal and constitutional frameworks to be adopted.

The exercise is expected to continue across other regions, as the committee seeks to gather comprehensive views to refine the Bill and entrench meaningful public involvement in governance.