The ivory towers of Nairobi were temporarily abandoned this week as the "Jamii Imara Mashinani" (JIM) caravan rolled into Kisii and Nyamira counties. In a rare display of direct democracy, high-ranking government officials—including Principal Secretaries and agency CEOs—sat face-to-face with villagers to answer hard questions about development, marking a shift towards a "whole-of-government" approach to accountability.

The 7th edition of this citizen engagement forum, held on January 24 and 25, 2026, was not the usual political rally. There were no dancing troupes or campaign slogans. Instead, there were notebooks, pens, and angry questions about stalled roads, missing drugs in hospitals, and the cost of fertilizer. Hosted by Kisii Governor Simba Arati and led by Public Health PS Mary Muthoni, the forum aimed to bridge the gaping trust deficit between the state and the wananchi.

The Power of Listening

PS Muthoni emphasized that the JIM initiative is designed to deconstruct the bureaucracy. "You cannot plan for Kisii from an air-conditioned office in Upper Hill," she stated. "You must smell the dust and hear the pain." The presence of technical heads, such as the Director of Konza Peter Muchendu and Kenya Highway Authority Chairman Winnie Ngumi, meant that answers were specific and actionable, rather than vague political promises.

• Nyamira's Concerns: In Nyamira, where Solicitor General Shadrack Mose led the proceedings, over 1,000 residents raised issues regarding security and the delayed disbursement of social protection funds for the elderly. The officials were forced to provide on-the-spot timelines for resolution.
• Civic Education: Beyond grievances, the forum served as a massive civic education drive, explaining to residents exactly which office handles which problem—separating county functions from national government obligations.

A New Governance Model?

The "Jamii Imara Mashinani" model represents a potential turning point in Kenyan governance. By physically bringing the decision-makers to the grassroots, the government is stripping away the layers of gatekeepers that often block service delivery. However, the true test will be in the follow-through.

For the residents of Kisii and Nyamira, the visit was a welcome change of pace. But as the convoy of SUVs returns to Nairobi, they will be watching closely to see if the notes taken in those diaries translate into tarmac on their roads and medicine in their dispensaries.