The Ombudsman Newsletter issue 006 July September 2022

Abstract

The institution of Ombudsman is the people’s representative that ensures the government delivers on its services to the people. Its mandate is to fight impunity and inefficiency in the public sector institutions at national and county level and enforce access to information as enshrined in the Constitution and Access to Information Act, 2016. The Constitution requires state officers/ public officers to be responsive when serving the public. It expects that public officers shall be servant and not rulers, and that the members of the public are treated with decorum and respect. However, a number public servants do not have a full understanding of what is expected of them by the Constitution and the Commission on Administrative Justice Act. The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) in Kenya promotes and protects individual rights, encourages efficient public administration. As the Commission’s slogan goes, "Hata Mnyonge ana Haki," the Commission is committed to ensuring that Kenyans enjoy effective and efficient public services. In this edition, we take you down memory lane with the Huduma Ombudsman Award and it’s benefits to the previous three editions' awardees. This financial year, the commission plans to host the 4th Edition of the Huduma Ombudsman Awards. In addition, the Commission fully participated in the observation and monitoring of the General election that was held on the 9th August, 2022. The Commission also hosted observers from the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association who observed elections and released a preliminary report. The Commission also marked this year's International. Day for Universal Access to Information in Bungoma in partnership with Kituo Cha Sheria by raising public awareness and education through radio programs, public forums and legal clinics. Our Mombasa office also held a public forum at Majaoni in Kisauni. The Commission also released a report on systemic investigations into the plight of Kenyan migrant domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As per its stragegic plan 2019/2023, the Commission continued to decentralise its services to the grassroots level. In collaboration with our sister Commission, the National Gender and Equality Commission, the Commission launched its Garissa Regional Office, which will also serve the North Eastern Region counties of Wajir and Mandera. We also have inspiring stories of Kenyans we have helped with complaints ranging from pensions to inmates getting appeal dates and retirement benefits, among other things. We hope you will find the stories in this issue inspiring as we continue to work together to build a society that upholds administrative justice and access to information.