Participatory Governance and Mitigation of Economic Inequalities in West Pokot County, Kenya

West Pokot County exhibits significant economic disparities, including limited access to education, healthcare, clean water, electricity, and road infrastructure. The county’s poverty levels, currently estimated at 57%, remain above the national average. These inequalities have historical roots in marginalization, pastoralist livelihoods, and limited investment, resulting in persistent social and economic exclusion of certain communities. While participatory governance mechanisms exist in the county, their effectiveness in promoting equity is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the role of participatory governance in mitigating economic inequalities in West Pokot County, Kenya. It specifically sought to analyze the influence of participatory planning, participatory budgeting, citizen monitoring, and institutional capacity on mitigating economic inequalities in West Pokot County, Kenya. Theoretical frameworks underpinning this research include the; Participatory Governance Theory, Social Justice Theory, Empowerment Theory, and Institutional Theory. This study adopted a mixed-methods research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population comprised of residents of West Pokot County, ward administrators, county officials, civil society actors, and community leaders engaged in participatory governance initiatives, a total population of 520 individuals. From these, a sample size of 120 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling across the four County’s four sub-counties. Data was collected through questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussions guides. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods was used to analyse the data which was presented in tables and discussed. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and the results used to provide supporting narratives for the quantitative results. The study found that participatory planning and citizen monitoring significantly mitigate economic inequalities in West Pokot County by fostering community involvement, transparency, accountability, and responsive governance, while participatory budgeting had a limited, inconsistent effect. Institutional capacity was also found to significantly influence inequality reduction, with competent personnel, clear procedures, and adequate resources enhancing participatory governance. Qualitative findings revealed variability in stakeholder engagement, representation of marginalized groups, and resource utilization, highlighting areas for improvement. The study recommends that county authorities institutionalize participatory mechanisms, standardize budgeting protocols, strengthen citizen oversight structures, and invest in staff capacity development. These measures would enhance transparency, equitable inclusion, accountability, and the county’s ability to implement development programs, thereby reducing economic inequalities and improving governance effectiveness across all sub-counties.