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By Moses Tai, Founder of ADC

Why the 2010 Constitution Was a Turning Point

The year 2010 was a milestone in Kenya’s democratic journey. With the adoption of a new Constitution, the country moved away from a centralised system of government toward devolution, offering new hope for equity and inclusion. At the heart of this transformation was public participation—the legal right of citizens to shape decisions about how public funds and resources are managed.

This legal framework was not just about law—it was about restoring dignity to citizens by making governance inclusive, transparent, and accountable.

But more than a decade later, the promise of public participation remains largely unfulfilled.

The Reality on the Ground

Although county governments were formally introduced in 2013, effective public participation mechanisms are still lacking. A 2019 report by Transparency International Kenya showed that most communities, especially those living in poverty, remain sidelined from the decision-making process.

Why? One key reason is lack of capacity—a gap that continues to keep communities voiceless and disempowered.

Understanding Public Participation: A Ladder of Inclusion

According to the Uraia Trust, public participation can be viewed as eight stages across three categories, inspired by Sherry Arnstein’s “Ladder of Citizen Participation”:

Category 1: Non-Participation

Public involvement is minimal or performative.

• Manipulation: Leaders use propaganda to create an illusion of participation.

• Therapy: Experts “educate” citizens instead of genuinely engaging with their priorities.

Category 2: Tokenism

Citizens are consulted but have little influence.

• Informing: One-way communication, often superficial or incomplete.

• Consultation: Two-way communication exists, but public input is rarely acted upon.

• Placation: Citizens may sit on advisory boards, but leaders retain decision-making power.

Category 3: Citizen Power

Citizens hold real power in decision-making.

• Partnership: Citizens and leaders share decision-making through joint committees.

• Delegated Power: Citizens or local groups are granted authority over certain decisions.

• Citizen Control: Communities lead the process, control budgets, and ensure priorities are met.

ADC’s Perspective: From Low Expectations to Empowered Communities

While the Constitution provides the framework for participation, Kenya remains stuck at the lower rungs of this ladder. At African Development Choices (ADC), we believe that the biggest barrier is not just lack of infrastructure or policy—but crushed expectations.

Years of mismanagement have conditioned communities to expect little, and therefore demand little.

We believe this can change—by raising expectations and building capacity.

Our Approach: Setting Better Precedents

ADC’s mission is to show what’s possible. Through our grassroots projects, we:

• Demonstrate transparency and accountability in managing public resources.

• Educate communities by sharing real examples of good governance.

• Raise expectations by proving that better outcomes are achievable.

• Foster active participation by building confidence and civic leadership.

By creating working models of effective public resource management, we throw a pebble into the pool of challenges—and believe the ripples of transparency, participation, and efficiency will spread across Kenya.

Be Part of the Change

We invite you to join us in transforming public participation from theory to action.

📢 Spread the word. Share our story. Support our mission.

Together, we can help communities move up the ladder—from non-participation to citizen power.