Youth, women and persons with disability in Kwale will be trained on essential skills for effective development oversight.
Residents, who are part of grassroots project management committees (PMCs), will be trained by Muslim Women Advancement Rights and Protection (MWARP) in partnership with the Kwale government.
The training aims to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in project implementation at the community level.
Participants will receive practical knowledge in project planning, financial management, monitoring and quality assurance in infrastructure development.
The goal is to strengthen their ability to oversee projects and ensure proper execution.
Speaking at the launch, MWARP coordinator Mwalimu Ali emphasised the importance of empowering communities to take an active role in development.
“This programme empowers communities to ensure projects are effectively implemented and meet the required standards,” he said
Ali said a lack of technical knowledge among committee members has often resulted in poor project outcomes.
He said some contractors have delivered substandard work simply because PMCs lacked the expertise to assess the quality of construction.
“Through this training, committee members will evaluate project quality, hold contractors accountable and demand better services,” he said.
The programme will also cover procurement procedures, the significance of citizen participation in development, conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement to foster collaboration in project execution.
Ali said strengthening the link between the government and communities would enhance transparency and ensure development projects align with residents needs and priorities.
Beneficiary Binti Juma praised the initiative, saying it aligns with the county’s vision of promoting community-driven development.
“This training will empower us to monitor projects, ensure funds are utilised properly and confirm the work meets the required standards,” she said.
Juma said she previously had little knowledge of construction work, but now feels equipped to drive positive change.
She said in the past, community members rarely questioned substandard projects, assuming oversight was solely the county government’s responsibility.
“With this training, we now understand our critical role in project oversight and protecting public infrastructure,” Juma said.
Mwashame Mwakuzimu described the initiative as a turning point for the community, as it provides valuable knowledge on managing and monitoring projects.
“Many PMCs previously lacked the capacity to oversee development initiatives effectively. This training will enable us to fulfil our roles with confidence and ensure projects are implemented properly,” he said.
Peg Wamalwa said the training will help PMCs regain the trust of local communities by ensuring the successful implementation of quality projects
