Broaden public participation spaces for inclusive decision making (KEEM0002)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Action plan – Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya, 2025 – 2027
Inception Report: Not available
Commitment Start: Mar 2025
Commitment End: Jun 2027
Institutions involved:
- Directorate of Public Participation and Civic Education
- Directorate of Economic Planning and Budgeting
- Directorate of Gender and Social services
- Elgeyo Marakwet CSOs Network
- Elgeyo Marakwet CSOs Consortium
- Directorate of Transport and Public Works
- Directorate of Education and Technical Training.
Primary Policy Area:
Primary Sector:
OGP Value:
- Civic Participation
- Public Accountability
Description
Commitment ID
KEEM0002
Commitment Title
Broaden public participation spaces for inclusive decision making
Problem
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) encounter multiple obstacles that limit meaningful participation in governance. Current participation platforms lack accessibility and inclusiveness, hindering SIGs' engagement. The allocation of public funds often does not fully consider the diverse needs of these groups, and citizen involvement below the Ward level remains low, reducing grassroots impact. Additionally, overlapping interventions from different stakeholders create inefficiencies, while citizen priorities are not always based on the current development and service data. There is also limited citizen input on annual budget categorized as ‘Conditional Grants, and the perceived imbalance in projects funding, a practice that has compromised the intended project outcomes.
Status quo
In Kenya, only 84% of citizens are aware of the county budget process, with just 38% getting engaged in participatory budgeting processes (Auditor General Report, 2022). In Elgeyo Marakwet, lack of dissemination budgets in braille formats for the visually impaired, lack of sign language interpretation for the deaf, inadequate civic education, infrequent public forums, and lack of digital platforms for participation are the main factors which have contributed to the low participation. These barriers are reflected by the status of participation of SIGs with only 25% of SIGs members having opportunities to engage with the county leadership (Economic Survey, 2021), and 65% of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) feeling excluded due to inadequate policies (Institute of Social Accountability, 2022) with indications that over 80% of PWD appointments and nominations are made without consulting the PWDs Council (Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly report, 2022).
Action
This commitment seeks to enhance public participation and inclusion by creating accessible, and transparent channels for citizen engagement. The county will establish physical and virtual platforms for continuous public consultation forums, and host workshops to raise awareness. Special interest groups (SIGs) will be actively targeted to ensure involvement in budget processes. To structure participatory planning and budgeting, the Elgeyo Marakwet County Equitable Development Act, 2015 will be amended to decentralize participation to sublocation levels. Elgeyo Marakwet Public Participation Act, 2014 will be repealed to structure engagements and a liaison office will be created to engage Civil Society Organizations. Civic education will be enhanced through awareness campaigns and roundtable meetings. This will lead to more responsive policies, better resource allocation, and social cohesion.
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?
Once implemented, this commitment will enhance grassroots participation in identifying and prioritizing local interventions, ensuring inclusiveness at the sub-locational level. Clear guidelines will institutionalize engagement structures such as the Sub-Locational Development Committees, while the establishment of a liaison office for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and development partners & enhanced civic education will empower citizens with the knowledge to engage effectively. Timely public notices and regular publication of key policy documents will improve transparency, and accountability in government processes. Strengthening collaboration with CSOs will ensure equitable resource allocation, leading to balanced development across communities. By creating more accessible and inclusive participation platforms, diverse voices will be considered in policy making, fostering greater public trust, and improving policy outcomes that reflect the real needs of citizens.
What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?
This commitment aligns with the strategic vision of building a more open, transparent, and accountable government, where citizens play an active role in shaping public policy and governance.
Primary Policy Area
Fiscal Openness, Inclusion
Primary Sector
Cross-sectoral, Public Services (general)
What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?
| Civic Participation | It ensures that residents have a voice in government decision-making, influencing policies and contributing to the design of interventions that impact their communities. |
| Public Accountability | Public participation strengthens accountability by enabling residents to hold the government accountable for its actions, ensuring that decisions put public interests into consideration. |