- Public Health PS Mary Muthoni has taken it upon herself to spearhead a noble social initiative aimed at connecting the government with the grassroots
- Dubbed Jamii Imara Mashinani (JIM), the initiative is advanced in the Mt Kenya region, where Kenya Kwanza government bureaucrats meet with locals
- On Saturday, November 25, the JIM team dedicated its edition of Kiambu County to the late Raila Odinga, honouring his lifelong push for socio-economic justice
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has dedicated the Kiambu edition of Jamii Imara Mashinani (JIM) to the late Raila Odinga to honour his legacy.
Source: UGC
Speaking in Kiambu on Saturday, October 25, Muthoni recognised Raila’s efforts in pushing for socio-economic justice in the entirety of his adult life.
The PS noted that the initiative would continue in its mission to make communities habitable and conducive in line with Raila’s vision for a better Kenya.
“We held JIM in honour of the late former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, I joined other leaders in reflecting on his legacy and discussing key health priorities. We emphasised the importance of maintaining proper hygiene to prevent cholera outbreaks amid the ongoing rains,” she said.
At the same time, the PS called on Kenyans to enrol in the Social Health Authority (SHA) to leverage it in accessing quality health care.
“We urged all citizens to register and be part of this transformative journey toward universal health coverage,” she said.
Meanwhile, JIM is reshaping how government connects with citizens at the grassroots level.
Spearheaded by Muthoni, the programme brings senior government officials face-to-face with communities across the country in a series of interactive public forums.
The JIM programme integrates a wide spectrum of government functions into a unified outreach model, prioritising direct engagement with ordinary Kenyans.
Through county visits styled in the traditional baraza format, citizens are invited to pose questions and receive real-time responses from top-ranking officials.
They include Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, parastatal heads, director generals, and CEOs, many of whom hail from the Mt Kenya region.
So far, JIM has held forums in six counties: Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Meru, Nyandarua, and Kiambu.
The latest stop in Kiambu took place today, marking a significant milestone in the programme’s rollout.
Organisers say the answer lies in the everyday realities of Kenyan life.
“True development begins where people live, work, and raise families; on our streets, in our villages, markets, and schools. Challenges like unemployment, rising costs, climate change, and access to clean water demand collective solutions. We cannot afford to wait for tomorrow when we can act today,” Muthoni said.
The forums are designed to be inclusive and participatory, with PS Muthoni ensuring that each session is accessible to the broader public. Citizens engage directly with officials, fostering transparency and accountability in government operations.
Among those involved in the initiative are Winnie Ngumi, the chairperson of KENHA, Harrison Wangoro, who is the director of Biovax, and government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.
The bureaucrats aim to demystify government projects and ensure that Wananchi are informed about ongoing and upcoming development efforts.
With plans to expand nationwide, Jamii Imara Mashinani is positioning itself as a transformative model for citizen-centred governance, one conversation at a time.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
