We need to reassess our approach to public participation

One of the most evident principles in our Constitution is the concept of public participation. The Constitution not only prescribes it as a national value but also weaves it in every aspect of public administration. The Executive and legislatures at both levels of Government are required to engage the public in the policy and law-making processes and to involve the public when making decisions that will impact them.

The requirements for public consultation are restated in detail in various legislation, so that in the Public Finance Management Act for instance, there are specific requirement on consultation at specific times in the budget cycle and the process is institutionalised through the County budget forums. However, in most situations where citizen engagement is required, the matter is left to those in leadership to determine the mode and content of that consultation. What has resulted over time is that most processes dubbed public participation are merely tokenistic interventions where citizens opinions are purportedly sought without any serious intention to take their views into account.