JEFMS Journal

Google Scholar

Article Pdf

---

ABSTRACT:

Citizens in many county governments are not empowered to understand their role in development issues and feel that policy makers do not put into consideration their contribution in major decision making particularly affecting key development programs. Citizens in many counties feel more often than not that their predicaments have not been addressed effectively by their governments, bring in a lot of conflicts which at times has resulted in public unrest. This study therefore focused on establishing an investigation of public participation on policy formulation in devolved governments in Keiyo South Sub County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The objectives of this study were to: establish the contribution of public participation in policy formulation in devolved government of Keiyo South Sub County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya and to determine the level of public participation on policy formulation in devolved government of Keiyo South Sub County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The study was based on Participatory Communication Theory and Ladder of Citizen Participation Theory. The study used a mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative research. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was 115 and the researcher obtained a sample size of 89 respondents using Yamane formulae. The study used stratified random sampling to select the respondents. The study used questionnaires and an interview schedule to collect dataThe statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyze quantitative data from the closed-ended questions. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics involved frequencies, percentages, standard deviation, and arithmetic mean. Inferential statistics involved correlation and multiple regression. The analyzed data was presented in the form of charts and tables. Privacy was maintained during the entire research period, and participation was entirely voluntary, free from coercion or inducement. The findings demonstrated that respondents agreed with the statement that member’s ideas and contributions in the public participation are given priorities (Mean=3.70, standard deviation=1.40), further, the findings indicated that that the respondents agreed with the statement that there is a moderate level of public participation on policy formulation (Mean=3.73, standard deviation=1.39). The study concluded that significant number of respondents believed in a high level of grassroots participation and others held contrary views, indicating that there may be disparities in how stakeholders perceive the depth of involvement. The study recommended that policy makers and county authorities should take steps to ensure that public participation processes are equitable and inclusive.

KEYWORDS:

Public Participation, Policy Formulation, Legal Framework & Devolved Government

REFERENCES:

1) Arnstein, N. (2016). Beyond the ladder of participation: An analytical toolkit for the critical analysis of participatory media processes. Javnost-The Public, 23(1), 70-88.

2) Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216-224.

3) Awortwi, N. (2010). Toward a typology of local government systems in Africa. Journal of Developing Societies, 26(3), 335-355.

4) Awortwi, N. (2011). Beyond what is written: Implementing Ghana’s local government laws for rural development. Journal of Modern African Studies, 49(2), 201-220.

5) Castleberry, A., & Nolen, A. (2018). Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Research Data: Is It as Easy as It Sounds? Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 10(6), 807-815.

6) Chinsinga, B. (2003). Policy, politics and the role of donors: Malawi’s aborted agricultural policy reforms. Journal of Modern African Studies, 41(2), 241-268.

7) Clark, L. A., & Watson, D. (2019). Constructing Validity: New Developments in Creating Objective Measuring Instruments. Psychological Assessment, 31(12), 1412.

8) Devas, N., & Grant, U. (2003). Local government decision-making – citizen participation and local accountability: Some evidence from Kenya and Uganda. Public Administration and Development, 23(4), 307-316.

9) Ekolu, S. O., & Quainoo, H. (2019). Reliability Of Assessments in Engineering Education Using Cronbach’s Alpha, KR And Split-Half Methods. Global Journal of Engineering Education, 21(1), 24-29.

10) Gikonyo, J. (2014). Citizen engagement in Nairobi County’s budgeting process: A critical analysis. Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, 26(2), 238-259.

11) Kanyinga, K. (2011). Crafting the democratic citizen: The politics of education and constitution making in Kenya. Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5(2), 234-252.

12) Kanyinga, K. (2014). Kenya: Democracy and Political Participation-Discussion Paper.

13) Kibwana, K. (2002). Public participation and good governance in Kenya: The case for an urban agenda. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 26(1), 98-110.

14) Moseti, Y. (2014). Public participation for sustainable development in local cities Public Participation for Sustainable Development in Local Cities. In International Society of City and Regional Planners congress, 4th October (pp. 61-81).

15) Mwaguni, H. J. (2020). Utilization Of Monitoring and Evaluation Tools, Performance Contracting, Human Capacity for Monitoring and Evaluation and Research Projects Enhancement in Public Universities in Coast Region, Kenya (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nairobi).

16) Mwangi, W. (2014). The effectiveness of public participation in Kenya’s county governments: A comparative study. African Journal of Public Affairs, 7(2), 20-36.

17) Odhiambo, E. A., & Taifa, M. N. (2009). Public participation in local governance in Kenya: A case of misdirected efforts? Journal of Public Administration, 44(1), 56-72.

18) Revelle, W., & Condon, D. M. (2019). Reliability From Α to Ω: A Tutorial. Psychological Assessment, 31(12), 1395.

19) Smith, G. (2009). Democratic innovations: Designing institutions for citizen participation. *Cambridge University Press.

20) Staunton, C., Tindana, P., Hendricks, M., & Moodley, K. (2018). Rules Of Engagement: Perspectives On Stakeholder Engagement for Genomic Biobanking Research in South Africa. BMC Medical Ethics, 19, 1-10.

21) World Bank. (2003). World Development Report 2004 (Overview): Making Services Work for Poor People. World Bank.