Participatory Communication in the Budget-making Process in Kajiado County

Abstract

This study examined participatory communication in the budget-making process in Kajiado West Sub County in Kajiado County. Kajiado West subcounty has the highest poverty and underdevelopment index in Kajiado County. Specifically, the study examined the participatory communication strategies that are used in budget making, the extent of participatory communication in the process as well as the challenges affecting participatory communication in the budget-making process. The study utilised participatory communication theory perspective which is both the practise and theory and practice of using communication and dialogue in involving people in decision making process and development. The study adopted a mixed method approach where both quantitative and qualitative methods were combined. The study enlisted 96 respondents drawn from Kajiado West Sub County and five Key Informant Interviews namely a Member of County Assembly, a ward administrator, Director Citizen Participation, Economic Planning and Management Officer and an NGO representative. Semi structured Questionnaires were used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data while interview guides were used to gather qualitative data. Descriptive Statistics was used to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data was coded and analysed in themes. The study established that participatory communication strategies utilised in the budget making process are not effective with the public having limited access to clear, simple, and timely information on the process. Further, the study established that just about thirty one percent have ever participated in the budget making process and more than half believing the county is not committed to public participation. The study also found out that participatory communication is riddled with several challenges including inadequate and timely notification through public preferred platforms and mediums, financial challenges, competing parochial interests and technicality of the budget making process. The study recommends that the county strengthens participatory communication in the budget making process by sensitising the public on budget making process and ensure availability and accessibility of information on budgets and budget making process and strengthen public participation structures.