Abstract: Citizen Participation in governance under the 2010 constitution gives the residents of each county the right to be involved in determining their socio economic wellbeing. This would positively influence the performance of county governments. This research sought to study role of citizen participation in performance of devolved government: a case of Laikipia County. Specifically, the study sought to: - analyze the role of citizen participation in project identification on devolved government performance; assess the role of citizen participation in budgetary process on devolved government performance; and determine the role of citizen participation in social audit on devolved government performance in Laikipia County Government. The study findings provide knowledge on the role of citizen participation in performance of the county government since this has not been extensively assessed, the concept of devolved government being a new phenomenon. The study is of importance to policy makers in the Government (National and County Government) in matters of planning and policy formulation regarding enhancing performance in service delivery. Descriptive research design was used in this study whose target population was the village elders, ward administrators and the general public in Laikipia East Constituency. The sample size was selected using multi stage random sampling technique to identify respondents. Data was collected using both secondary and primary data collection methods. Primary data collection tools were self-administered questionnaires and interviews, while journals, text books, and internet were used to collect secondary data. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23 and was presented using frequency tables and graphs. The role of citizen participation was assessed in terms of how it affects efficient allocation of resources, accountability and reduction of corruption and equity in service delivery. It was found that the participation of citizens has been minimal and the resulting influence on the devolved service delivery negligible. In conclusion, there has been dismal impact of citizen participation, therefore devolved governments should develop a capacity needs assessment tool and a citizen capacity development plan in order to leap the optimum benefits of citizen participation. This is due to the fact that an informed citizenry would be in a position to effectively participate in projects identification, budgeting, and in social audit.
Keywords: CITIZEN, PERFORMANCE, SERVICE DELIVERY.
Title: ROLE OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE DELIVERY OF DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS: A CASE OF LAIKIPIA COUNTY
Author: MILKA KARIUKI, DR EPHANTUS KIHONGE
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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