Makueni County Public Participation Policy 2020

Abstract

Public participation in Kenya is considered a crucial pillar of the Kenyan Constitution. It attains the objective of promoting democracy by providing the public with the opportunity to take part in decision-making processes within government. It broadly encompasses an interactive process between state and non-state actors on public communication and access to information, capacity building and actual engagement in governance processes. The right to participate reflects the constitutional notion that sovereign authority belongs to the citizens. It is the very foundation for democracy which not only strengthens the state by legitimizing governmental actions, but is also important for good and democratic governance. It must also be understood that public participation is both a goal and a process; as a goal, it is important that all citizens are involved in the affairs of government, specifically in decision making. As a process, it focuses on the mechanisms or platforms through which the citizenry are involved and decisions reached in the context of governance. The need for public participation is stressed under article 10 of the Constitution which equally elevates it to a principle that “binds all State organs, State officers, Public officers and all persons whenever any of them–– applies or interprets this Constitution, enacts, applies or interprets any law, or makes or implements public policy decisions”