FACTORS AFFECTING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN EFFECTIVE DEVOLVED GOVERNANCE IN KENYA: A CASE OF UASIN GISHU COUNTY
Abstract
This study sought to determine the factors affecting public participation in effective devolved governance in Uasin Gishu County. The study targeted 105 residents of Uasin Gishu County who were chosen using stratified random sampling and the County Transitional Authority Coordinator. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the residents, key informant interviews from the county government official. The data was analysed using the descriptive statistics that were generated by use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The presentation of data was in the form of tables and figures for showing comparisons, trends and clarity for easy understanding of the findings. The findings of the study showed that public participation was affected by the level of access to information by citizens; citizen’s awareness levels on public participation and accountability of county governments to public needs. The study concluded that: The County government of Uasin Gishu provide information to its citizens however the channels used were not convenient due to poor timing and improper use of channels; Awareness levels among Uasin Gishu County residents was very low as majority of them thought that they had no role to play in the county government; had not received any training on public participation; and were not familiar with enactments guiding public participation in devolved governance; The Uasin Gishu County government was not accountable to the needs of its residence as most of the projects undertaken were not reflective of the needs of the county residents; majority of the residents had not been involved in public forums and those involved felt that their opinions were not taken seriously. Based on the findings, this study recommended that Uasin Gishu County government established an ICT-resource centre where citizens could be able to access government information; creates awareness through massive public awareness on public participation campaigns through radio, television and public gatherings; capacity build its residents on public participation through training; and hold public forums at ward levels to reach out to more citizens. Finally the study recommended further research in other counties on the impact of public participation in devolved governance.
Key Words: Acess to Information, Citizen Awareness, Accountability, Public Partcipation, Effective Governance
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v3i4.381
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