Is Public Participation in Kenya a Constitutional Formality or a Genuine Engagement?
By Joan Cherop Ngetich, Student, Kabarak University. Image file: Gen Z protest after failed Public Participation- Design Joan Cherop Ngetich Public participation is a fundamental pillar of democracy, designed to ensure that citizens have a voice in governance, policymaking, and legislative processes. In Kenya, it is a constitutional requirement, embedded in various laws that mandate citizen involvement in decision-making. However, while public participation appears to be a legal obligation , it often lacks meaningful engagement. Most of the time, it is reduced to just a bureaucratic formality, with little to no impact on final decisions. Despite countless public forums, memoranda, and consultations, the reality is that the opinions of citizens are rarely considered in key decisions, leading to growing disillusionment with the process. One of the clearest demonstrations of the failure of public participation was the Finance Bill 2024 . The government invited citizens to submit ...