Laikipia County Strengthens Grassroots Democracy Through MDC Training
In a bold step toward deepening public participation, Laikipia County recently trained and commissioned its first cohort of Mashinani Development Committee (MDC) members, marking a significant milestone in devolved governance. The four-day training, held from December 3rd to 6th in Nyahururu, brought together grassroots representatives selected in March 2023 to act as the eyes, ears, and voices of their communities. Organized in partnership with Twaweza East Africa, the initiative aimed to equip MDCs with the knowledge, tools, and skills to bridge the gap between residents and county leadership.
The training combined theoretical grounding with practical exercises. Participants engaged with Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, unpacking principles of devolution and governance under the guidance of Dr. Obuya Bagaka. Through case studies from other counties, such as Makueni, MDCs learned how effective community involvement could improve project outcomes, from water management to local service delivery. Sessions also highlighted everyday challenges, including wildlife conflicts, rising alcoholism, and inadequate agricultural services, providing a candid view of the communities’ pressing needs. A memorable session emphasized listening over speaking—encapsulated in the metaphor of having big eyes, big ears, and a small mouth —reminding MDCs that their role is to facilitate dialogue, not dominate it.
The significance of the training was further underscored when Governor Joshua Irungu attended the commissioning ceremony, describing MDCs as ministers at the mashinani. A surprise visit by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii highlighted growing regional interest in Laikipia’s approach to grassroots democracy. Despite the enthusiasm, MDC members acknowledged structural challenges, including unclear communication channels with county leadership, unpaid allowances, and limited resources—gaps that reflect broader hurdles in Kenya’s devolution journey. Pre- and post-training assessments showed notable knowledge gains, indicating that even brief, targeted capacity-building can make a measurable difference.
Laikipia’s MDC initiative offers a blueprint for meaningful public participation, demonstrating that democracy is more than election cycles—it requires empowered citizens actively shaping governance. The real test now lies in how these representatives translate training into action, mobilizing communities, addressing local issues, and ensuring their voices are heard at the county level. For Nyahururu and the wider county, this marks the beginning of a new chapter in grassroots democracy, one that could influence how other counties across Kenya implement participatory governance in the years ahead.