Citizen Participation

Citizen Participation

Andare Riat women group members after signing a memorandum to the Kisumu county assembly on the ongoing public participation on Kisumu county proposed CFSP.

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 (CoK 2010) places great emphasis on public participation in the national development process as a means to ensure relevance in public investments. Constitutional provisions on public participation are clearly spelt out in Articles 69 (1) (d), 118, 174, 184, 196, 201 (a), 221 (5), and 232 (1) (d) among others.

Around the world, there is increasing recognition that democracy requires much more citizen participation in governance than is ordinarily possible through representation by elected officials. Direct participation in the policy-making, law-making and implementation of development programmes is an essential part of modern democracy. It is with this recognition that most democracies have embraced various systems, processes and mechanisms to enhance citizen participation in governance, particularly in the decision-making processes. Among these mechanisms is devolution/decentralization of government functions; policies and laws that impose mandatory consultation of the public; more inclusive electoral representation and greater access to public information. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, heralded the recognition and institutionalization of public participation in Kenya. The Constitution establishes the normative framework for public participation, makes it mandatory for policy and law-making processes, establishes the key institutions for public participation and directs the establishment of statutory bodies and enactment of legislation for effective participation. Various state agencies at both the national and county levels of government have made efforts to comply with the constitutional edicts for public participation with limited success. Among the factors that continue to hinder public participation include lack of enabling policy, legal and institutional frameworks; deficient civic education; lack of capacity; inadequate resources, and; inimical cultural attitudes and practices.

Our target groups have submitted Memoranda to the county Assemblies of Kisumu, Siaya and Homabay during g the various public participation forums