MACSON Hosts Two-Day Training on Public Contract Monitoring Under the TUNU Program
Overview
In a strong step towards promoting transparency and accountable governance in Makueni County, the Makueni Civil Society Network (MACSON) successfully conducted a two-day intensive training on Public Contract Monitoring and Social Accountability.
The training brought together 20 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) alongside key state actors from both county and national government. The activity was implemented under the TUNU Project, a four-year initiative championing open governance, anti-corruption, and citizen empowerment.
Why This Training Matters
Public procurement and contract management remain some of the most sensitive areas influencing service delivery and resource utilization. Through this training, CSOs were equipped to:
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Monitor public contracts with accuracy and professionalism
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Identify gaps and red flags in procurement
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Promote citizen participation and oversight
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Strengthen collaboration with government duty bearers
This capacity-building effort ensures that Makueni remains a leading model in transparency and participatory governance.
DAY 1 – Building a Strong Foundation
The first day focused on developing a deep understanding of key governance and procurement principles.
Key topics included:
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Concepts and principles of social accountability
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Understanding transparency and the role of citizens
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Principles of public procurement and public contracting
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Procurement methods, tendering processes, and legal frameworks
The session was facilitated by Grace Mumo, a renowned Social Accountability Champion and Executive Director of Hope in the Desert.
Her hands-on approach equipped participants with practical knowledge on how to effectively track procurement processes within line departments.
Who Attended
Representatives from over 20 member CSOs including:
PTD Kenya, YSD, VSO, Convoy of Hope, Nitasema Foundation, Kitise Kithuki Professionals, among others.
State Actors Present
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Representatives from all County Government departments
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Office of the MCA (Wote–Nziu Ward)
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Wote Municipality
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Sand Authority
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National Government Administration Officers (NGAO)
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Departmental and agency representatives
This strong multi-sector presence enriched the discussions and built trust for future collaboration.
DAY 2 – Practical Application & Action Planning
Day two transitioned into hands-on application and strategy building.
Key focus areas:
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Mapping county expenditure flows
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Tools for monitoring public contracts
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Detecting procurement red flags
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Effective documentation and reporting
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Engaging oversight and complaint mechanisms
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Structuring CSO–state actor collaboration
Participants developed action plans tailored to their organizational mandates—ensuring continuity beyond the training room.
Key Outcomes of the Training
1️⃣ Enhanced Technical Skills
CSOs now have stronger capacity to track county expenditure, monitor procurement processes, and advocate for transparency.
2️⃣ Improved Collaboration
By bringing CSOs and government departments together, the training fostered stronger relationships, trust, and shared commitment to accountability.
3️⃣ Strengthened County Accountability Ecosystem
MACSON solidified its role as the county’s coordination hub for citizen oversight, knowledge sharing, and civic engagement.
4️⃣ Alignment to TUNU Project Goals
The training contributes directly to the project’s pillars on access to information, anti-corruption, and social accountability.
Acknowledgement
We appreciate our development partners—Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, European Union, TISA Kenya, and Transparency International Kenya—for supporting this initiative.
A special thank-you to H.E. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for ensuring an enabling environment where civil society and government can work hand in hand to improve governance and empower communities.
Our gratitude extends to all participating CSOs and state departments for their active contributions and commitment to strengthening accountability in Makueni County.
Conclusion
The successful completion of this two-day training marks another important milestone in advancing transparency, openness, and professionalism in public service delivery. With empowered CSOs and cooperative state actors, Makueni County continues to model how collaborative governance can transform communities and improve development outcomes.
MACSON remains committed to driving citizen participation, monitoring public resources, and supporting the TUNU mission of a transparent and accountable Kenya
