Attorney General unveils bill to ensure public opinions are captured in State policies

The Office of the Attorney General has launched the Public Participation Draft Bill, which aims to establish a robust legal framework to ensure that public opinions are integrated into the formulation of government policies.

Speaking on Wednesday during a briefing at the Kenya School of Government, Solicitor General Shadrack Mose said, that if passed, the Bill would foster greater inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in public engagement processes.

Mose highlighted that the Bill seeks to elevate the quality of input from all stakeholders, particularly marginalised groups.

“By securing stakeholder consensus, we can effectively fulfil the objectives of this policy and support legislative initiatives across the Executive and Legislature," Mose said in a speech by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.

He also noted that many bills face legal challenges due to the absence of a proper framework for public participation.

This morning, I led the Office of the Attorney General and various stakeholders and development partners in the official launch of the legislative framework on Public Participation; a crucial tenet introduced by the Constitution to ensure inclusive governance.

In the meeting,… pic.twitter.com/1Rq2ZsiYy3

— Hon. Shadrack J. Mose (@shadrack_mose) September 18, 2024

Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary Aurelia Rono said the AG's perspective, underlines the initiative's role in restoring public trust in government.

She stressed the importance of using resources efficiently in public participation to enhance the process and ensure meaningful engagement.

During the CSs' vetting, Attorney General Odour had pledged to tackle the issue of legislation being deemed unconstitutional by the courts due to insufficient public participation.

The concern arose after recent legislation, including the Finance Act 2023, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Housing Levy, was struck down by the courts for lacking adequate public involvement.

“It is the work of the courts to address these issues as it is their role. We should reflect on this notoriety. I believe most recent legislations have been designed to comply with or operationalise the 2010 Constitution,” Odour said during her vetting.