Kisumu City County Public Participation Policy 2023

Abstract

The County Government of Kisumu and the people of Kisumu County developed this Public Participation Policy as the county’s overarching framework for public participation and civic education. In this policy, public participation is conceptualized as the process by which citizens either as individuals, organizations, groups or communities (also known as stakeholders), take part in the conduct of county affairs, interact with the government and other non-state actors to influence decisions, policies, programs, legislation and service delivery and on other matters concerning the governance of the county. The County Government of Kisumu recognizes public participation as a defining element of democratic and participatory governance and a vital means for ensuring the legitimacy of government decisions and actions. The County Governments’ commitment to public participation is to be demonstrated through various efforts including the enactment of the Kisumu County Participation Act 2015, which will undoubtedly need to be reviewed or repealed in light of the emerging issues identified by this policy. Kisumu County Public Participation Policy envisions an open, people-centred, responsive and accountable governance culture in a participatory development system. The Government acknowledges that good and democratic governance is achievable in the county with effective, meaningful and institutionalized public participation. In this regard, the document provides policy direction and guiding principles for effective and meaningful public participation in county governance and development at all levels. The main objective of the policy is to provide the enabling framework for effective and meaningful public participation in county governance. The policy also provides the framework for coordination of stakeholders involved in the governance and development of the county.