Makueni County government in partnership with Safaricom PLC, launched MyCounty APP to streamline government services online in a bid to effectively deliver services to Wananchi.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and Safaricom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Ndegwa, witnessed the launch of the APP at Unoa Grounds on Wednesday and it is expected that Wananchi will also engage with the Governor through the platform.
Through the APP, the residents will be able to pay for various services like licenses, revenue collection, parking fees, and land payments besides many other benefits in the comfort of their homes without travelling to government offices.
Speaking at the event, Mutula noted that initially there have been inequalities, inefficiencies and inaccessibility of government services saying there was need to correct this anomaly through the use of the power of technology.
Also, the Governor said that these challenges have impacted negatively on the lives of the people of Makueni and hindered the county’s progress for a long time.
“It is with this realisation that the Government of Makueni through the Department of ICT, Education and Internship has forged this partnership with Safaricom PLC to craft this digital platform to serve the people of Makueni,” said Mutula when he read his speech during the occasion.
“Our vision is a single digital system that could not only launch digital services but also empower citizens to hold the government accountable and therefore foster confidence in our operations,” he noted.
The Governor also said that MyCounty App was fulfilling his promise and commitment to improve the lives of the people of Makueni through an integrated and sustainable development process.
“We needed a solution that is transparent, visible and accountable, inclusive and participatory that holds the government accountable and fosters strategic partnerships,” said Mutula.
“It is a testament of our commitment to crafting local solutions to our challenges through creativity and innovative mind-set,” the Governor posed.
He disclosed that through adopting the APP, there will be reduction in use of paper work and promotion of digitization and conserving our environment which will transplant to long term cost benefits.
Also the Governor observed that through the platform, he will run a government that will provide a level playing field for all members of society.
“This power in the hands of the citizens, allows their voice to be heard and recognize their contribution. Through the platform, it will help us engage with the citizens directly and participate in the decision making process and invite constructive feedback and criticism,” Mutula said.
On his part, Safaricom CEO said that through the platform, it will be able to connect them to opportunities and knowledge besides increasing partnerships of teams to fulfil a shared vision in the County.
While saying the same technology will be extended to the 47 counties across the country, Ndegwa also said that there was a need to combine innovation and technology to bring ideas that will improve the way customers and the society experience services in their lives.
Further, the CEO noted that the high cost of travelling to seek government services will be a thing of the past besides curbing the menace of middlemen who exploit Wananchi while pursuing government services.
During the event, Mutula and Ndegwa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the County Government of Makueni and Safaricom PLC to support transformation in the County.
Speaking at the same function, State Department for Devolution Principal Secretary Terry Mbaika said that the national government has overseen successful implementation of the devolved system by creating an enabling policy and environment to facilitate the County governments in capacity building and technical assistance to ensure they discharge their constitutional mandate.
“Since 2016, we have spent 23 billion shillings to support and strengthen, institutional and human resource capacity for better service delivery at the devolved units,” said Mbaika.
Present at the function included Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, government officials and Wananchi among others.
By Patrick Nyakundi
