The State Department for Devolution (SDD) has officially launched national guidelines for Project Management Committees (PMCs), offering a long-awaited framework to structure citizen participation in development initiatives across Kenya’s counties. The announcement was made during a sensitization workshop held at a Kitale hotel on Thursday, drawing key county officers, program coordinators, and stakeholders from across Trans Nzoia County.

Speaking at the event, Emily Imbwaga, Assistant Director at the SDD, emphasized the critical role of PMCs in ensuring that community members are actively involved in the planning, execution, and monitoring of public projects.

“While donor-funded programs often require PMCs, there hasn’t been a uniform framework to guide their formation and operation—especially in county-specific projects,” Imbwaga noted.
“These guidelines will fill that gap and ensure that the public plays a meaningful role in the governance of projects that affect their lives.”

Enhancing Participatory Governance in County Projects

The new guidelines are set to be applied in programs including:

• Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP)
  
• Financing Locally Led Climate Actions (FLLoCA)
  
• Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program (KISIP)
  

By formalizing PMC roles, the government aims to improve transparency, accountability, and local ownership of projects, especially those involving climate change mitigation, informal settlement upgrades, and service delivery improvements.

Gideon Sawe, Director of Public Participation under KDSP, praised the guidelines for their potential to streamline project implementation:

“This framework is a game changer. It will help us move from token involvement to structured, consistent engagement with communities.”

Embracing Change for Grassroots Impact

Imelda Agoi, Human Resource Director and KDSP Coordinator, called on all county stakeholders to embrace the change, highlighting that grassroots development cannot be achieved without meaningful involvement from the very people projects are meant to serve.

“As we implement programs at the local level, PMCs must be equipped with clear mandates and operational structures. These guidelines are a foundation for inclusive and effective development,” she said.

Participants included lead officers from county units coordinating KISIP and FLLoCA programs, who engaged in breakout sessions to understand how to integrate the guidelines within existing structures and reporting systems.

Building Stronger Communities Through Transparent Development

The sensitization workshop marked a turning point in how county projects are managed, especially in regions like Trans Nzoia where development programs are increasingly people-driven.

With the official rollout of PMC guidelines:
✔️ Communities gain more voice in how projects are designed and delivered.
✔️ Counties benefit from improved accountability and efficient resource use.
✔️ Development outcomes become more sustainable through local ownership.

The State Department for Devolution, through continued collaboration with counties and partners, reiterated its commitment to ensuring that citizen-centered governance remains at the heart of devolution.

As Trans Nzoia and other counties adopt the new PMC framework, the future of local development promises to be more inclusive, transparent, and effective.