23/10/2026
THE 3RD NATIONAL COUNTY PEER REVIEW MECHANISM SUMMIT
The NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat has convened the 3rd National County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) Summit in Nairobi, bringing together national and county government leaders, governance experts and oversight institutions to strengthen accountability, enhance institutional performance and accelerate citizen-centred service delivery across Kenya’s 47 counties.
Held on the margins of the Global Trust Summit, the high-level forum provided a platform for the presentation and discussion of county peer review reports, the assessment of progress in implementing governance reforms and the identification of practical interventions to address challenges affecting service delivery. The Summit underscored the importance of evidence-based decision-making, constructive peer engagement and responsive leadership in building public trust and strengthening devolution.
The Summit brought together senior government officials, including Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary, State Department for Foreign Affairs; H.E. Muthomi Njuki, Governor of Tharaka Nithi County and Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors; H.E. Wisley Rotich, Governor of Elgeyo-Marakwet County; H.E. Stephen Sang, Governor of Nandi County; and H.E. Mutahi Kahiga, Governor of Nyeri County. Deputy Governors representing Kilifi, Meru and Makueni counties, Ms. Flora Mbetsa, Ms. Linda Kiome and Ms. Lucy Mulili, respectively, also attended. Other dignitaries included H.E. Prof. Olive Mugenda, Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Panel of Eminent Persons; H.E. Sospeter Ojaamong, Chairperson of the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat’s National Governing Council; and Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya, Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat.
In his remarks, Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs, underscored the importance of public trust, effective institutions and accountable leadership in advancing Kenya’s governance and development agenda. He highlighted the value of constructive engagement among public institutions and the need for governance processes that strengthen confidence between government and citizens.
The Principal Secretary’s participation highlighted the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to governance reform, in which national and county institutions work collaboratively to address development priorities and ensure that public policies translate into tangible benefits for citizens. The discussions also reinforced the role of credible governance frameworks in strengthening institutional relationships, promoting transparency and supporting sustainable development.
Speaking during the Summit, Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya, Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, emphasised the importance of the County Peer Review Mechanism as a structured platform for strengthening accountability, promoting mutual learning and supporting continuous improvement in county governance.
He underscored the Secretariat’s role in facilitating credible, evidence-based peer assessments that enable county governments to reflect on their performance, identify institutional gaps and adopt practical measures to improve service delivery. Through the CPRM, the Secretariat continues to support a governance approach that prioritises constructive dialogue, institutional learning and actionable recommendations.
The CEO’s remarks reinforced the importance of translating peer review findings into measurable reforms, with county governments expected to take ownership of the recommendations and demonstrate progress in addressing the needs and priorities raised by citizens. He also highlighted the value of sustained collaboration between the national and county governments, oversight institutions and other stakeholders in institutionalising good governance and advancing Kenya’s development aspirations.
The Summit further demonstrated the Secretariat’s commitment to strengthening the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism’s principles at the county level by providing technical guidance, coordinating review processes and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning among county governments.
Speaking on behalf of the Council of Governors Secretariat, Chief Executive Officer Ms. Mary Mwiti commended the partnership between the Council of Governors and the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, describing the collaboration as instrumental in coordinating and advancing the county peer review process.
Ms. Mwiti recognised Amb. Dr. Samori Okwiya and his team for providing the technical frameworks, capacity-building support and coordination required to facilitate credible county reviews. She noted that the Secretariat had adopted a collaborative approach that respects the autonomy of county governments while maintaining the technical rigour and constructive engagement necessary for effective peer assessment.
She observed that the CPRM should be viewed not as a mechanism for judging county governments, but as an opportunity for counties to learn from one another, strengthen institutional performance and improve their responsiveness to citizens.
The Council of Governors reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its partnership with the Secretariat, recognising that effective intergovernmental collaboration is essential to strengthening devolution and rebuilding public confidence in governance institutions.
In her remarks, H.E. Prof. Olive Mugenda, Chairperson of the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons, emphasised the need for candid, evidence-based dialogue in assessing county governance performance and strengthening public institutions.
Prof. Mugenda also highlighted the importance of translating the findings of the review process into concrete commitments. She called on county leadership and oversight institutions to use the reports to inform decision-making, strengthen accountability and monitor progress in implementing agreed reforms.
The preparatory process for the Summit included county self-assessments, independent peer review missions, validation of findings and the consolidation of technical reports by the Secretariat. These stages provided an evidence-based foundation for engagement among reviewing peers and county leadership, ensuring that discussions were informed by documented performance, identified challenges and opportunities for improvement.
The Third National CPRM Summit builds on the growing collaboration between the NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat and the Council of Governors to institutionalise a culture of accountability, mutual learning and continuous improvement across Kenya’s devolved system of governance.
Through the mechanism, county governments are provided with a structured opportunity to assess their performance, benchmark their approaches against those of their peers and develop practical Programmes of Action responsive to citizens’ priorities. The process complements Kenya’s broader governance and development agenda by promoting transparent institutions, meaningful public participation, effective oversight and responsible leadership.
The Summit’s focus on county review reports, progress reporting and recognition of good governance practices, including through the Ugatuzi Awards framework, further reinforces the importance of documenting progress, sharing successful approaches and encouraging county governments to pursue sustained improvements in public service delivery.
As the Summit advances, the priority remains clear: to ensure that peer review findings translate into concrete actions, measurable improvements and stronger accountability to the people of Kenya. County governments are expected to take forward the recommendations and priority commitments emerging from the review process, while oversight institutions and citizens play a critical role in monitoring implementation and demanding results.
