| dc.description.abstract | This study examines factors that influence community participation in public finance management in Makueni County. Specifically this study was designed to address the following research questions; (a) What are the regulatory framework that influence community participation in public finance management? (b) How do socio - economic factors influence community participation in public finance management? (c) How do social attitude and trust influence community participation in the public finance management processes? The sample population consisted of 132 participants. This sample was drawn from a population of 198 participants who took part in past (2015/2016) Makueni County public finance management processes. The participants were drawn from six sub counties namely Kilome, Kaiti, Mbooni, Makueni, Kibwezi West and Kibwezi East Sub counties. The sample was selected using purposive and simple random sampling. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data for frequencies and percentages distribution tables and mean. Data analysis was performed using inferential statistics mainly correlation and linear regression. Data collected was coded and analysed using STATA software. The findings of the study established that there is a significant relationship between community participation and the regulatory framework structure (represented by citizen power, tokenisms and non-participation). Tokenism was represented by a negative association while citizen power was represented by significant positive association. The findings on the extent to which Socio economic factors influence community participation in the public finance management processes, indicated that socio economic factors influence community participation. The findings from descriptive analysis indicated that social attitude and trust influence community participation and the most outstanding factor for social attitude was that people with positive attitude towards county government do participate more effectively while the most outstanding factor for the social trust was that people with higher trust on public finance management process participate more effectively. This study recommends that the County government of Makueni should enhance the policy framework on community participation to ensure proper community engagement in decision making on needs identification and implementation of projects. On social economic factors this study recommends that the county government includes people with high education level (Diploma level and above) for purposes of enriching debates on public finance management. Additionally the county government should also offer basic trainings on public finance management processes in order to equip individuals participating in these processes with essential skills. The county government should also ensure adequate gender representation in all forums. On social attitude and trust, this study recommends that the county government should implement the views of the public that were suggested in earlier community participation forum in order to sustain public trust. Public officials should also ensure that the public resources are managed in transparent manner in order to inspire trust among the public. | en_US |
