Assessment of Public Participation in the Implementation of Development Projects in Kanduyi Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya

Public participation is enshrined in Articles 1, 10, 174(2) (c) and 196 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, as a fundamental principle of devolved governance. However, the translation of this constitutional ideal into tangible development outcomes remains problematic. This article examines the role of public participation in the implementation of development projects in Kanduyi Sub-County, Bungoma County. The study was anchored on Sherry Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation Theory (1969). A descriptive research design was adopted. The target population was 160 persons drawn from the eight wards of Kanduyi Sub-County: Bukembe West, Bukembe East, Township, Khalaba, Musikoma, East Sang'alo, West Sang'alo and Tuuti/Marakaru. Using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table, a sample of 113 was obtained through stratified random sampling, where each ward formed a stratum and 20 persons were picked per ward. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires with a 95% return rate (95 out of 100) and 10 key informant interviews with MCAs, Ward Administrators, Sub-County Administrator, Chief Officers and non-state actors. Secondary data were sourced from other researchers and e-books. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, and qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The findings reveal a paradoxical role. On one hand, 64.2% of respondents affirmed that the County involves citizens in decision-making and 69.5% agreed that participation is inclusive of women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), in compliance with Articles 27, 54-57 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Participation has also enhanced awareness and implementation of grassroots projects. On the other hand, 54.7% disagreed that projects are identified and selected according to citizen needs, 54.8% disagreed that decision-making is open and transparent, 60% disagreed that projects are done for public needs, 55.8% disagreed that projects are of good quality, and 62.1% disagreed that completed projects are sustainable. Qualitative evidence revealed that project identification is driven by political party ideology and MCA campaign pledges rather than community urgency, and that participant selection is manipulated through political patronage and reimbursement allowances. The study concluded that Kanduyi Sub-County operates at the level of tokenism – informing, consultation and placation – where citizens are heard but lack power to influence final decisions. The study recommended depoliticised needs-based prioritisation, transparent participant recruitment, and robust civic education.