GTAP crafts Gen Zs accountability checklist

Kenyan youths under the Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) want their peers involved extensively in consultations.

They said this would ensure their aspirations were considered in national development plans.

They said the aspirations of the youth, who make up most of the population, should be factored in the development and management of national resources for transparency and to rebuild trust in the government.

The party presented a Gen Z accountability checklist, which they seek to achieve for purposes of transparency and accountability.

In a press statement, James Otieno Oketch, the GTAP National chairman, said the checklist created by young leaders in the party is a call to action for the government to fulfill the aspirations of its youth.

"In an era demanding unparalleled transparency and accountability, we, the youth of GTAP, present the Gen Z Accountability Checklist. Developed through extensive consultations among our peers who form the majority of our membership. It embodies our collective vision for a fair and sustainable Kenya," he said.

The GTAP checklist identifies eight key areas of concern, which they said should be put into action to rebuild trust and ensure prosperity for all generations.

The focus is on government accountability and transparency, reducing wasteful government spending, improving public services and infrastructure, and implementing legal and structural reforms.

Also on the checklist are economic justice, direct responses to immediate concerns, transparent and timely communication and actions that may rebuild lost trust with Gen Zs and most Kenyans.

"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. Let this be our shared commitment to a thriving accountable nation," read the statement in part.

They want the establishment of a transparent online portal for real-time government budget and expenditure tracking for accountability purposes.Under government accountability, they also want bi-annual public forums in every county and mandate annual public asset declarations for all senior government officials.

To reduce wasteful spending: "Implement budget cuts to reduce non-essential government spending by 30 percent. Enforce policy limiting travels and hospitality expenses."

GTAP wants allocation for healthcare and education increased by at least 15 percent to enhance public service and infrastructure.

"Reinstate and expand national school feeding program. Hire an additional 10,000 teachers and healthcare professionals," it adds.

It wants review and revision of outdated laws that affect governance and calls for the establishment of a public consultation process for new laws.To rebuild lost trust with Gen Zs and the majority of Kenyans, GTAP calls for a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle.

It states: "Promote cultural change within government. Revise controversial policies, implement advanced transparency mechanisms, initiate genuine national dialogue, strengthen judicial independence and institutional reforms and establish public accountability initiatives."

The party also wants a public progress tracking system for all government projects to allow monitoring and a progressive tax policy to reduce the burden on lower-income earners, among other concerns.