Citizen participation in governance is a key component of the public reforms that were instituted by Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. Article 1 (1) of the Constitution states that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya. This power can be expressed through direct participation by the people or indirectly through their democratically elected representatives, Article 1 (2).
Public participation in governance seeks the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision made by government. The Constitution has given prominence to public participation in governance by including it among the national values and principles of governance. The Constitution also guarantees citizen participation in governance and the decision making process, and in public financial matters at the county (Article 196 (b)). One of the objects of Kenya’s devolution is ‘to give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them’ (Article 174 (c)).
