News & Events

Nairobi, Kenya

The Civil Society Reference Group (CSRG) is planning to hold the Annual County Consultative Council meeting in December 2024 in Nairobi to be attended by representatives of County Forums from the counties where CSRG has presence. The meeting will be held pursuant to article 14.5 of the CSRG Constitution that requires the CSRG Consultative Council to meet at least twice a year.

 

Speaking to this reporter after a planning meeting held at the CSRG Secretariat based in Kangemi Nairobi, the Presiding Convener Cidi Otieno stated that “the meeting will be attended by three representatives from each of the Counties where CSRG exist and will provide an opportunity for the CSRG Oversight Committee (OC) to report to the Consultative Council on the strategic direction of the CSRG and also get reports from the progress in the Counties”.

As a roadmap to the National Consultative Council, CSRG has been holding County Forums where they have elected five officials to coordinate the affairs of the CSRG in the County. Out of the five, three will attend the Council meeting. So far County Forums have been held in Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Embu, Migori, Taita Taveta and Elgeyo Marakwet with Kiambu, Kajiado, Narok, Muranga, Homa Bay and Nakuru Counties scheduled to hold their County Forums in the coming week.

 

The Council meeting will among other things discuss the proposed expansion of CSRG mandate to address emerging issues in the country including ballooning public debt, Climate Justice, following on the Budget Process, Social Accountability and Mutual Protection. The current focus of CSRG has been on enhancing Civic Space with a focus on pushing for the operationalization of the PBO Act 2013. The meeting will also approve a one-year strategic plan that has been developed by the OC and plan for the Annual General Assembly to take place in September 2024.