By MKT Reporter
A former freedom fighters and their descendants caucus has welcomed an initiative by the government calling for the public input on proposed regulations that are expected to govern the registration and running of Public Benefits Organization (PBO).
Mau Mau War Veterans Association (MMWVA) said the move is inching closer, the hope of getting compensation once the government puts all the system in running.
Consequently, through the association Director General James Njuguna Mahuria, Kenyans were asked to read the draft regulations and prepare to propose changes when the Public Participation exercise kicks off next week.
In a notice published on yesterday’s dailies, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration through the Public Benefits Organization Regulatory Authority announced that Kenyans will have a chance to propose changes during forums that will be conducted across the country, from June 19 to July 18.
The 47 counties are formed into 12 clusters where the public meetings will take place. The meetings will be held in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nyeri, Garissa, Meru, Machakos, Lamu, Lowdar, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisumu and Nakuru.
The notice indicated that the draft regulations, once approved will be used to guide the registration and management of PBOs in line with the provisions of the Act that was assented in 2013.
Despite being assented in 2013, it took about ten years for the government, through the then Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Prof. Kithure Kindiki to gazette it’s operazation date.
Last month, Chief Justice forwarded to parliament, the names of individuals who would be sitting in the PBOs Tribunal board.
Yesterday, Mahuria said his association members, found in all the 47 counties, would be airing their views and giving comments from all the designated places as per the notice.
He said his members were optimistic that once the regulations were put in place, the exercise towards their compensation would sail through seamlessly.
At the same time, he urged those who have not registered do so, so as not to be left behind when the compensation exercise begins.
Mahuria said with the Chief Justice Martha Koome having forwarded the Tribunal members and the Regulatory Authority setting dates for public participation, it was clear the PBOs would start working via the new act, which means the issue of former freedom fighters and their descendants compensation would be addressed, once and for all.
He noted that the issues are coming to a conclusion, just as various freedom fighters interested groups joined hands and resolved to work together under the MMWVA.
Mahuria further noted that MMWVA has for years been sensitizing its members about the PBO and National Village Administration Policy which he said have direct impact on his members.
Various groups, led by a peace lobby, Amani Kwa Wote Association which is led by Paul Kariuki Mwati have welcomed the compensation issue saying it was long overdue.
John Kamau