NAIROBI, Kenya- In a move towards greater transparency and accountability, Kenyans launched a dedicated website to monitor over 350 promises made by President William Ruto and officials from the ruling party, Kenya Kwanza.
The platform, aptly named “Mzalendo” (meaning patriot), aims to hold the government accountable by tracking the progress and fulfilment of these pledges.
This website has recently gained attention on social media following Kenyan Genzs groundbreaking adoption of technology in holding elected leaders accountable.
The Mzalendo website stands out with its tech-driven approach to civic engagement.
It details the “promises” and “status,” in tabs providing a clear and accessible means for citizens to monitor political commitments.
This initiative integrates transparency into the political process, ensuring that the government’s promises are not just words but actions that can be tracked and measured.
Amidst a backdrop of growing public scrutiny and anti-government protests led by Gen Z Kenyans, demanding accountability from officials, Mzalendo serves as both a tool for public scrutiny and a reminder to government officials of their obligations.
The platform brands itself as non-partisan, furthering its mission by also offering civic education to help citizens understand what they should expect from their government.
Monitoring Kenya Kwanza’s Promises
Kenya Kwanza outlined its pledges across 15 broad thematic areas, to be monitored in four phases: the first 100 days, short-term goals, medium-term goals, and long-term goals.
The Promise Tracker feature on the website meticulously tracks the progress of these pledges, evaluating their actualization since President William Ruto was sworn in on September 13, 2022.
This comprehensive monitoring includes an “Opposition Tracker,” which evaluates how the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance legislators perform in their role to keep the government in check.
This dual tracking system not only holds the ruling party accountable but also ensures that the opposition’s commitments are equally scrutinized.
Mzalendo comes at a crucial time when many Kenyans are questioning the government’s ability to deliver on its commitments.
The platform’s transparent and accessible approach enhances public scrutiny, enabling citizens to hold politicians accountable for their promises.
By providing real-time updates and clear categorizations of each promise’s status, Mzalendo empowers citizens with the information needed to demand accountability and foster a more engaged and informed electorate.
This is a testament to the power of technology in enhancing civic engagement and ensuring transparent governance.
