Effectiveness of County Communication Approaches in Facilitating Public Participation in Kenya's Devolved Governments

Purpose: The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of county communication frameworks in fostering public participation in Kenya's 47 devolved governments. Effective communication is both a function and proof of good governance. Thus the significance of county communication facilitating enduring citizen participation in policy making and implementation processes cannot be overstated. The evaluation of county communication approaches was conducted in alignment with overall objectives outlined in the County Government Act of 2012. These objectives include: creating awareness on devolution and governance; promotion of peace and cohesion; advocacy for development, and promotion of the freedom of the media. Methodology: The present study adopted a qualitative research approach. The research targeted 8 counties clustered in county economic blocs of North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB), Lake Region Economic Bloc LREB, Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) , South Eastern Kenya Economic Block (SEKEB), Mt Kenya and Aberdares Economic Bloc, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani( JKP), Narok and Kajiado Economic Block(NAKAEB) and Nairobi City County. The counties purposely selected to represent each of these economic blocs include: Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Mandera, Makueni, Meru, Kwale, Narok and Nairobi. This study used both primary and secondary methods to collect data. In-depth interviews were used to collect primary data from 26 participants, specifically, from Council of Governors, Sub-County Administrators, County Assemblies Forum, County Directors of Communication and Community Based Organizations. They were purposively chosen for their role in communicating, facilitating, and monitoring public participation. Secondary data was collected mainly from national dataset, surveys, and reports from ministries, departments, and agencies. Findings: The findings show that concept of public participation is deeply rooted in the Constitution of Kenya 2010. County communication frameworks embed strategic communication approaches for policy making and implementation in devolved governments. The finds show that the level of understanding of devolution among Kenyans varies. Those in urban and city counties have a greater appreciation of decentralization while those in rural counties have limited understanding of devolution and its implication. Majority of Kenyans have difficulty distinguishing functions of devolved governments from those assigned to the national government by the CoK 2010. Additionally, county governments are required to promote peace and cohesion among the residents. The findings show that this objective receives less emphasis and is not a priority of counties, with the exception of frontier counties. However, counties promote development in their jurisdiction recognizing that they have a responsibility to stimulate investments that create jobs for unemployed and generally improve living standards of the residents. Finally, county governments have a role to play in ensuring media practice remain free from any interference even though this responsibility lie with the national government. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Based on the review of the literature and findings of this study, the study recommends that county governments should meaningfully engage citizens in governance by first, empowering them to understand their responsibility and secondly, allowing them to engage meaningfully in issues that affect them. To achieve this, county governments should establish mechanisms that promote civic education, public participation and access to information as provided in the County Government Act 2012.