By Janet Nyanchoka
The National Assembly’s Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee (DFAC) and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) members are attending a capacity-building retreat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Organised by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST), the programme focuses on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Self-Mastery.
The retreat’s theme is: “Incorporating Monitoring & Evaluation in Committees for Effective Legislative Performance.”
It brings together legislators from DFAC, NG-CDF, and the Delegated Legislation Committee to explore how M&E tools can strengthen representation, legislation, and oversight.
MPs examined how to embed data-driven decision-making into parliamentary processes, ensuring that projects funded through devolved mechanisms deliver measurable impact.
“Monitoring and evaluation must be seen as a strategic tool, not a bureaucratic hurdle,” said West Mugirango’s Stephen Mogaka, who is attending the retreat.
“It helps us communicate clearly and credibly with the public, based on verified outcomes.”
The retreat also addressed the challenges of communication in the digital age, highlighting the need for transparency and accuracy to counter misinformation.
The CPST reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening parliamentary performance. Legislators pledged to develop actionable frameworks for integrating M&E into their work upon returning to Nairobi.
The delegation comprises Gideon Mutemi Mulyungi, Chairperson of the Decentralised Funds Accounts Committee (DFAC), and Musa Sirma, Chairperson of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee, alongside their Vice Chairpersons, Mwanyanje Gertrude Mbevu and Tandaza Kassim Sawa.
Also present are Stephen Mogaka (West Mugirango), James Onyango Oyoo, David Mwalika Mboni, and Innocent Obiri (Bobasi).
Parliamentarians Jackson Lekumontare Lentoijoni, Dorothy Muthoni Ikiara, Reuben Kiborek, and Caroline Jeptoo Ng’elechei, among others are also on the retreat.