Discussion Paper No. 205 of 2018 on Determinants of Public Participation in Kenya Counties

Abstract

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 brought about a framework for devolving public resources in Kenya’s 47 counties. The counties were vested with responsibilities of taking care of health, roads, agriculture, urban areas, among others. Such responsibilities are to be met through ensuring socio-economic development through budgeting and planning that is participatory in nature, thereby enhancing transparency, accountability, equity, and inclusiveness. Using Afrobarometer (2015) Quality of Democracy and Governance in Kenya survey, this paper employs the probit regression technique to examine the determinants of having a successful and meaningful participation at the county level. The study finds that approval of governor’s performance significantly increases the likelihood of having meaningful public participation. However, difficulty by the citizenry to influence county decision making, lack of responsive Members of County Assembly, difficulty in accessing information on county budgets, legislation, and projects, and corruption in the office of the governor, significantly reduces the probability of having a meaningful public participation in Kenya’s counties.