Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) will support the Siaya County government to develop a policy on access to information Chairperson Charles Dulo has said.

Addressing the Press in Siaya town on Monday, Dulo who led a team of commissioners from the head office in Nairobi said that, although Siaya was almost half way in working on a policy that will lead to the enactment of access to information law by the county assembly, his office will second technocrats to enable the devolved unit come up with a document that helps locals to access information with ease.

“With the support from the commission, they will be able to finalise the policy and enact an access to information law so that the people of Siaya can easily access the information they need,” he said.

Dulo who had earlier led his team in paying a courtesy call on Governor James Orengo said the technocrats from his office will help the county come up with a policy on grievance management which, he noted, was lacking.

“We have reviewed some of their policies that they are working on and we are encouraged that they are taking the lead on matters climate change,” said the Ombudsman.

He said that the Kenyan citizenry was well informed and is always seeking information right from the village level.

Siaya Executive Committee Member for Environment Jacqueline Oduol said that, although the county has grievance and redress mechanisms, there was no policy to guide the same.

Prof Oduol said the county, however, has a toll-free number which the public can use to channel their grievances and get feedback.

“We have toll-free numbers and I appreciate that we are going to get support so that this mechanism is strengthened and much importantly, we get a policy as we do not have one at the moment,” she said.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Philip Onyango