Kabarnet – Governor Benjamin Cheboi of Baringo has introduced the Sikika Baringo feedback platform, a new online service aimed at enhancing communication between the county government and its citizens. The official launch of the platform took place in Kabarnet town, marking a significant step towards increased transparency, accessibility, and efficient public service in the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the platform, accessible at sikika.baringo.go.ke, enables residents to engage directly with the government, offering feedback and ideas for development. “As a democratically elected government, we have a duty to inform them on what is happening within the county,” he stated. Cheboi, accompanied by his deputy Eng Felix Kimaiyo and representatives from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), emphasized the importance of the platform for critiquing government performance and for disseminating information, such as job openings in the health department and other county services.
The team responsible for managing the website is tasked with providing accurate and up-to-date information about county projects and activities. This initiative is aimed at keeping residents informed about the status of the county and encouraging them to contribute solutions to various challenges.
Governor Cheboi also called for further support from partners for capacity building of staff and technical teams who will be communicating with residents at the grassroots level. Eng Kimaiyo highlighted the complementarity of the Sikika Baringo platform with a recently launched county contact center featuring a toll-free number (1554), both of which are expected to enhance the smooth running and implementation of projects within the county.
Eng Kimaiyo assured residents that the county administration is committed to considering their inputs in decision-making processes and providing information from all departments. This will enable residents to stay informed about activities in their respective wards.
Elijah Ambaza from GIZ noted that the Sikika Baringo platform not only aligns the county with other top-performing counties in terms of access to information and feedback mechanisms but also aids in compiling reports for the Commission on Administration of Justice (Ombudsman). This could lead to awards and recognitions for the county’s efforts.
Paul Masese, CEO of the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG), lauded Baringo’s commitment to open governance. He observed that the county’s efforts are already bearing fruit, with marginalized areas now receiving much-needed attention and all corners of the county starting to enjoy quality services due to effective access to information.