Strengthening the Effectiveness of Public Participations Systems in Kenya
Abstract
The brief opines that the effectiveness of public participation in Kenya’s democratic processes remains doubtful in the wake of public uproar on the appropriateness of government policies. The recent youth-led political unrests validate that civic involvement is not merely a mundane formality but a vital element of an effective democracy. Significant threats to ensuring active public engagement include non-existent public consensus building systems; absence of hybrid system (offline and online) of citizen participation, and weak public awareness systems.
Executive Summary
The brief opines that the effectiveness of public participation in Kenya’s democratic processes remains doubtful in the wake of public uproar on the appropriateness of government policies. The recent youth-led political unrests validate that civic involvement is not merely a mundane formality but a vital element of an effective democracy. Significant threats to ensuring active public engagement include non-existent public consensus building systems; absence of hybrid system (offline and online) of citizen participation, and weak public awareness systems. The brief concludes that by guaranteeing that the expressions of all Kenyans are heard and considered in policy-making, then we can move towards a more responsive, inclusive, and equitable governance system that integrate public feedback into policy verdicts. Key recommendations include establishment of Public Participation and Accountability Authority/ Board; formation of citizen digital participation platforms; establish a mechanism for government citizen policy consensus building including citizens’ policy clinics across all 47 counties; and intensify awareness creation through digital platforms to facilitate early access to information on government
policies.
