Effectiveness and Usage of Various Modes of Public Participation in Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, devolution that is now around ten years old, gives a voice and a means to the population to participate directly in their affairs. The 2010 Kenyan Constitution prescribes public participation in public policy processes but the practicality of its implementation is complex and needs to be understood by research. This paper focused on the modes of participation available to the public in the development projects in Kericho County, Kenya. The study utilized a concurrent mixed research design. Quantitative data analysis was done using frequencies and percentages; while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study established that public participation in various modes was low. The various modes of public participation were; participation in budget preparation, attending diverse fora, scrutinizing records, electing project leaders, and attending seminars. The public- viewed through the lenses of the public choice theory- did not readily embrace the various modes of public participation to input into the political system- especially in this realm of development. This study recommends that the County Government of Kericho and non-state actors should develop strategize to overcome constraints imposed by the public choice theory on the public as the public input into the political system- and in particular- on the public development processes.