Part X, section 100 of the County Government Act (2012) provides for civic education and requires that each county implement an appropriate civic education programme. The programmes should be sustained to ensure citizen understand their civic roles, rights and responsibility and can use knowledge acquired for informed participation in civic and political processes.

County governments are required to plan and budget for the conduct regular and purpose-driven civic education programmes. The county executive and assembly, sub-county, ward and village administrators should conduct civic education sessions to inform county residents on issues that may come up for public interrogation. Themes that may inform civic education include:

• County policy making;
• Law making processes;
• Public finance management processes;
• Development planning processes;
• Monitoring and evaluating county budget implementation;
• Evaluating periodic county reports;
• Assessment and monitoring of county projects;
• Public procurement; and
• Evaluating county service delivery.

Civic education by both the national and county governments contributes to effective public participation. It requires a structured, innovative and sustainable approach adapted to local context. When citizens are educated and sensitised about their civic duties, rights, obligations and those of the government, they are better empowered and the quality of their engagement is improved.

Find more information here: County Governments and Civic Education