Constituencies are a hot topic, we are nearing 2012. And with today’s Kenyan so aware and keen to observe how their tax money is being spent, there is a need for an open and unbiased platform to access this information and make good decisions in the future. More often than not, the conversations focus on the need to have a more transparent way of accounting Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
Nokia in partnership with the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) came together in order to create an application that would help Kenyans see how the CDF is being utilized. NTA is a national, independent, non-partisan organization focused on supporting good governance in Kenya through strengthening citizen-to-citizen accountability. If you’re one to keep up with what ’s happening in your constituency, the ongoing projects, or funds that you have used up to a certain period, then you need to download the CDFMonitor App from Ovi Store on your Nokia phone. Developed by Shimba Technologies, this app is the go-to source of information regarding your constituency at the touch of a button.
Once you download and launch this application, it gives you a list of all the constituencies in alphabetical order from Ainamoi, to Baringo Central to Chepalungu and even Yatta. You have the option to search directly though. When you select a constituency, the first thing you see is the amount of money that has been allocated to that particular constituencey dating back to 2003 when the Constituency Development Fund was formed as a result of the CDF Act in Kenya. In addition, the application also has the Projects Status section and this gives you a list of all the projects that are going on as well as well as those that have been completed. It also states the amount of money that is to be spent and implementation status of each project.
There is also the CDF board section, which gives you a list of all the board members of a particular constituency that includes the MP, councillors, a District Officer, religious representatives as well as representatives of the men women and youth. The application helps you keep track of what is going on in your constituency keeping the relevant authorities accountable for the development of not only your constituency but other constituencies listed . The App is direct and precise making it very user-friendly and simple to use and is available on both S40 and S60 Nokia phones. The app just gives figures only, so dont expect stories and locations of where there constituencies are to be found. 🙂
Now, if only this app would have a version 2 which allows for more visible data, kinda like a view of the project physically so you can be able to vet the use of funds as compared to the work done. Images, description, etc. Whats your say NTA/Nokia/Shimba?
Actually come to think of it, Images would be abit more important info, some description too would do good.
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