ALT Advisory files a submission on the Kenyan Policy on Public Participation
On 6 March 2025, Andrew Songa and Lawrence Mute from the ALT Advisory Kenya Office filed a submission on the Kenyan Policy on Public Participation (Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2023).
The submission provides, among others:
It is our considered opinion that public participation is at the essence of realising the national values and principles of governance enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya. More specifically, public participation is essential to realising human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalised (Article 10(2) (b)). Public participation is also essential to fostering good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability (Article 10(2) (c)). Therefore, it is our understanding that the proposed policy on public participation should operationalise these national values and principles of governance.
and
The stated objectives of the policy are to set standards for effective public participation and to establish a framework for the management and coordination of public participation in Kenya. We contend that these objectives will only be met if the provisions of the policy:
- Derive their foundations, nomenclature and parameters from the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Kenya.
- Possess remedial measures that address a history of marginalisation of various groups from governance processes.
- Acknowledge past failings and incorporate the lessons learned from adjudicated public participation disputes, especially as determined by the Supreme Court of Kenya.
Access the full submission here.
