Green Thinking Action Party unveils youth accountability checklist for Kenya

This initiative, spearheaded by the youth faction of GTAP, aims to address pressing issues concerning governance, economic justice, and public service enhancements.

Youth-Led Vision for Transparency

James Otieno Oketch, the National Chairman of GTAP, presented the checklist, emphasizing the extensive consultations held among the youth members who form the majority of the party’s base. "In an era demanding unparalleled transparency and accountability, we present the Gen Z Accountability Checklist. It embodies our collective vision for a fair and sustainable Kenya," said Oketch.

Key Proposals in the Checklist

1. Government Accountability and Transparency:

• Establishing a transparent online portal for real-time tracking of government budgets and expenditures.
• Holding bi-annual public accountability forums in each county.
• Mandating annual public asset declarations for all senior government officials.

• Publishing a comprehensive annual report on government expenditures.
• Enforcing a policy to limit official travel and hospitality expenses.
• Implementing budget cuts to reduce non-essential government spending by 30%.

• Increasing allocations for public healthcare and education by at least 15%.
• Reinstating and expanding the national school feeding program.
• Initiating a recruitment drive to hire an additional 10,000 teachers and healthcare professionals.

• Conducting a review and revision of outdated laws affecting governance.
• Establishing a public consultation process for new laws.
• Creating an independent oversight body to monitor new laws and reforms.

• Implementing a progressive tax policy to reduce the burden on lower-income earners.
• Mandating social impact reviews for all new economic policies.
• Forming a commission to investigate economic disparities.

• Confirming the cancellation of proposed tax increases on essential goods and services.
• Reducing salaries of high-earning government officials by 20%.
• Eliminating non-essential government positions.

• Establishing a Government Accountability Office.
• Implementing a public progress tracking system for all government projects.
• Hosting monthly public Q&A sessions with key government officials.
• Creating and enforcing a 'Promise Tracker' for all campaign promises.
• Regularly publishing independent audit reports on government spending.

• Conducting a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle.
• Revising controversial policies.
• Implementing advanced transparency mechanisms.
• Initiating genuine national dialogues.
• Strengthening judicial independence and institutional reforms.
• Launching targeted economic reforms.
• Establishing public accountability initiatives.
• Promoting cultural change within the government.

The checklist represents a call to action for the Kenyan government to realize the aspirations of its youth and to rebuild trust in public institutions.\

"We invite all stakeholders to engage in this crucial dialogue, to transform these ideas into actions that rebuild trust and ensure prosperity for all generations," urged Oketch.

The GTAP’s Gen Z Accountability Checklist is seen as a significant step towards involving the younger generation in governance and ensuring a sustainable future for Kenya. As the country navigates its path forward, the active participation of its youth, as demonstrated by GTAP, will be crucial in shaping a more transparent and accountable government.