PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ALLOCATION OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS: A CASE OF DAGORETTI SOUTH CONSTITUENCY, NAIROBI, KENYA
Author: Mugambi Gitonga
Co-Authors: Jonathan Omuchesi and John Mwai Theuri
Abstract: In Kenya, public participation in NG-CDF-funded projects is required to maintain openness and good governance in the administration of public resources. The study sought to investigate the Public Participation in Allocation of National Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF): A Case of Dagoretti South Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to investigate the level of public mobilization in (NG-CDF) allocation, to examine the level of public sensitization in (NG-CDF), to assess the level of decision-making in (NG-CDF) allocation in Dagoretti South Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study aims to enhance public participation and resource allocation in NG-CDF projects, benefiting policymakers, planners, and the Kenyan National Government. It provides insights and literature on effective public engagement. The following theories guided the study and had a substantial impact on the results. Stakeholder Theory holds that the primary objective of any business is to produce money and benefit its stakeholders, whereas public participation theory advocates for the inclusion of program and project beneficiaries. The target population was 178,691 residents of Dagoretti constituency spread across the constituency, and the formula of Krejce and Morgan 1970 which determined the study sample size. A study sample of 407 respondents was chosen using a stratified random sampling procedure, and main data was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative data was examined using descriptive statistics design in SPSS (version 25), while qualitative data was evaluated using thematic content analysis. Furthermore, the validity of the research instruments was confirmed through expert analysis, and the reliability of the research instruments was determined using the Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. According to the study’s findings, a high level of public mobilization has a beneficially impacted on NG-CDF allocation to the residents. High Level of Public Sensitization aided in understanding of essential aspects of NG-CDF allocation, addressing the requested of the community in their progress, and informing their educated opinions about the funds. The study concluded that public participation in CDF allocation positively impacts NG-CDF funds allocation. Lack of community involvement can lead to fund theft and hinder gender balance. Information, education, and communication tactics, sensitization programs, and effective constituent participation promote budgetary decisions. Decision-making should consider all constituency people for effective allocations. The researcher suggested that the government must ensure citizens are informed about their rights, responsibilities, constitution, and the NG-CDF Act. Respect for communal effort, deference to elders, and obedience to leadership should be integrated into projects, while denying youth leadership positions should be avoided, and public mobilization should increase turnout during scheduled meetings and ensure gender representation.
Keywords: Mobilization – Sensitization, Decision-making, public participation, CDF funds allocation, development funds
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Suggested Citation
Mugambi, G., Omuchesi , J., & Mwai J, T. (2023). Public Participation in Allocation of National Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF): A Case of Dagoretti South Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 10(3), 24-32. Available online at http://arjess.org/social-sciences-research/public-participation-in-allocation-of-national-government-constituency-development-funds-a-case-of-dagoretti-south-constituency-nairobi-kenya.pdf
