Janice Muchemi Calls on Youth and Civil Society to Hold Broad-Based Government Accountable

By Robert Mutasi 

Janice Muchemi, a Program Officer with the International Justice Mission, has emphasized the critical role of youth and civil society in holding the government accountable following the formation of a broad-based administration under President William Ruto. 

Her remarks were made during an interview on Citizen TV, on Friday, August 30, 2024, where she discussed the potential impact of the inclusion of members from the ODM party into the government.

Muchemi highlighted that the coming together of the minority and majority sides presents a unique opportunity for Kenyan youth and civil society organizations to demand higher standards of accountability and professionalism from the government.

 "Youth, we were told during the recent census that we form a huge population of our current nation," she said. 

"Now that our opposition has now come into government, we as the youth need to take this opportunity to hold them to high standards of accountability and professionalism to ensure that they use our resources for our benefit and not for their benefit." Added Janice. 

She also stressed the importance of non-state actors, including civil society organizations, in playing a watchdog role.

 "Non-state actors and civil society now take up that role of checking the government," Muchemi stated. "They check what they are doing, they check their finances." 

Her comments come at a crucial time when the Kenyan government is facing heightened scrutiny from the public regarding the use of public resources and adherence to ethical standards.

Muchemi further underlined the significance of Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution, which outlines the principles of leadership and integrity.

She called for nationwide campaigns to encourage youth to register and obtain identification cards (IDs) in preparation for the 2027 elections. 

This call comes in response to the government's recent announcement about a large number of uncollected IDs, a situation Muchemi sees as a barrier to effective civic participation.

"We need to ensure that these IDs get to the people on the ground so that in 2027, when we get to elections, we have the opportunity to choose leaders who uphold Chapter Six of our Constitution," she said. "Leaders who do not have issues of graft, impunity, or nepotism—people who will serve the public."

Muchemi's comments reflect a broader concern among civil society and youth leaders about the need for greater involvement in the political process to ensure that the government's actions are in line with the needs and aspirations of the Kenyan people. 

As the country moves forward, her call to action is a reminder of the power and responsibility of citizens to shape their nation's future.