The Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 has partnered with the Ministry of State for Public Service to offer information services aimed at empowering the citizenry on issues of governance.The two ministries under the Office of the Prime Minister want to strengthen the District Information and Documentation Centres (DIDCs) to meet the high demand for information.
In this partnership, the Ministry of State for Public Service will be providing policy documents concerning human resource management and development to enable civil servants access information they need at the DIDCs manned by the Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030.Planning Permanent Secretary Dr. Edward Sambili described DIDCs as critical sources of information for development and channels for collecting and disseminating data on development projects required for realisation of the Vision 2030.
In a speech read on his behalf in Nyeri by the Economic Planning Secretary Mr. Stephen Wainaina during the launch of capacity building initiative for DIDCs, Dr. Sambili noted that the provision of information will enhance and empower communities while making decisions on resource mobilisation, utilisation and conservation.
"More significantly, the documentation centres act as focal points of critical/vital information required for policy formulation, analysis, implementation, decision making, research and building knowledge to public servants among others," he said.The DIDCs, he added will continue to contribute to promotion of public service reforms particularly those geared towards better information service provision such as the new constitution and the Vision 2030.
The PS said there are 68 operational DIDCs in the country and that currently his ministry in collaboration with the African Development Bank was constructing 83 new centres and rehabilitating 24 others.He regretted that the facilities are still not adequate considering that the number of districts has increased to 284 as at December 2010 and that some of the centres are manned by clerical officers who lack knowledge, skills and attitude for managing such important sources of information and data.
"Staffs deployed to documentation centres need to consistently and constantly acquire new skills, upgrade and update their existing skills and knowledge in modern management of documentation centres and electronic information sources," he added.On his part Public Service PS Mr. Titus Ndambuki said the partnership between the two ministries would make it possible for interested parties to access official documents.
In a speech read on his behalf by Ms. Njoki Kahiga, Secretary Human Resource Development, Ndambuki said two years ago his ministry carried out a study and found out that the policies made at the ministry headquarters do not reach the targeted audience at districts."Staff attributed their inability to get promotions after interviews to lack of accessibility to circulars and other government documents and this is when we got advice from a ministerial committee to partner with the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 to offer the service," he said.
The Public Service PS said the DIDCs will also act as induction centres for newly employed and transferred public servants in their respective provinces.Some of the policy documents to be stocked by the DIDCs include; Government financial regulations and procedures, Public Service Recruitment and Training Policy, various circulars, Code of regulations, Scheme of Service and Handbook for Induction among others.
"As stipulated in the Kenya Vision 2030, the primary goal of the government is to improve the quality of life for all Kenyans. This position can only be realised if information is made readily available to all citizens for evidence based and participative decision making," said Ndambuki.Central Provincial Commissioner Mr. Japhter Rugut who was represented by his Deputy Francis Sila expressed delight saying it was important to revitalize and restock the DIDCs with all relevant government policy documents.The capacity building initiative which is being piloted in Nyeri Central, Kakamega Central and Nakuru DIDCs will be extended to other centres in the 47 counties.
Kelvin Mwangi,
Nyeri.
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