New system to monitor public spending, an example for our Government to follow

This is the first time in Kenya’s history that the government will use a  data gathering and evaluation system to ensure that public funds are channelled to the right projects.

The private sector has praised the government for developing the system.  Mr Mike Eldon, a member of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, said Kenyans will now take keen interest in monitoring government policies.

“The government has been a talk shop producing excellent policies which are never implemented, but this new system will now tell us what has been achieved,” said Eldon.

The National Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (NIMES) launched by Ministry of Planning and National Development will also enhance transparency in the use of public funds as it will monitor and inform Kenyans on the implementation of projects worth over one million shillings.

“This system is designed at measuring effectiveness of public policy” said Planning and National Development Minister Henry Obwocha.

The ministry of planning and National Development was mandated to develop and implement the system as part of the governance reforms.

It was mooted in 2004 as the basis for measuring the performance at the ministerial and individual level, through the performance contracting and performance appraisal systems The system was also mandated to provide regular annual progress reports on public expenditure reviews.

The minister said NIMES would be highly integrated with other government systems to inform the public and policy makers on achievements made in areas such as performance contracting and performance appraisal.

The government considers it a versatile and flexible monitoring and evaluation system that will expand its scope and detail in time to satisfy Kenyans’ quest for information and accountability by holders of public office.

The framework of the system is designed to track the progress on all development projects undertaken by the government, civil society, private sector and donor partners.

“This is a truly unique system in that it will bring together stakeholders from all sectors of the economy such as communities, implementers, civil society organizations, private sector and development partners to provide reports on their achievements and challenges with a view to improving performance” said Obwocha.

“The experience of producing monitoring and evaluation reports has changed the mind set of Kenyans and the culture of monitoring and evaluation is beginning to take root” said Obwocha.