The Effectiveness of Local - Level Mobilization Strategies for Public Participation: a Case Study of the Budgetary Process in Embu County

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of local-level mobilization strategies for public participation in the budgeting process of Embu County. Three mobilization strategies, Community Radio, Posters, and County Newspapers were examined. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design focusing on the 2016/2017 budgeting cycle. Through a survey technique, data for this study was collected. Only primary sources of data were used and quantitative analysis was employed to make sense of the data. In doing this, 34respondents across eight wards in Embu County were selected using simple random sampling as well as snowballing sampling technique while the seven County Officials were purposively sampled. Questionnaires which had both open ended and closed ended kind of questions were filled and returned. The raw data was analyzed using quantitative techniques like percentages, use of tables and charts and the like for data presentation. The study revealed that Newspapers, Community Radio, and Posters are effective means by which the County Government can employ to mobilize the community for Public Participation. This paper hopes to keep the participatory budgeting debate alive so that more citizens get involved in decisions that affect the economic well-being of their communities.