Public participation is a constitutional requirement specifically, Article 1 that states that sovereign power belongs to the people and Article 10 (2) (a) and the Fourth Schedule Part 2 (14) of the Constitution of Kenya and is stipulated as a function of the County Government. Sections 87 to 92 and 115 of the County Governments Act, 2012 outline the principles of public participation and the imperative for facilitating public participation in the work of the County government. Public participation is a structured way of consulting with persons, groups and entities before decisions are made. It is designed to give a voice to the voiceless and cements the concept of agency to the County Government, that is, the County government becomes an agent of the people. Public participation is not meant to convey decisions already made, but to generate and confirm decisions. It is not a political process but a non-partisan process that involves the agent going to ‘take instruction and direction’ from the people.

The Government of Makueni County will seek to utilize the various levels of participation, that is, the government is committed to the promotion of consultation, placation, and partnership and citizen control models of participation. The County government will promote and ensure people-centered and people-driven development as anticipated by the constitution. The government will continuously strive to create an enabling environment for citizens to be involved in and participate in the development of policies from the initial stages.