Participatory Budgeting, Opportunities and Challenges: the Case of Busia County

Abstract

As global recognition grows regarding the necessity for enhanced public involvement in governance, particularly through participatory budgeting (PB), many devolved governments are making attempts to implement it. This study explores the framework and impact of PB in Busia County, Kenya—a region grappling with service delivery challenges. The research problem centers on understanding the opportunities and challenges inherent in Busia's PB framework, especially given the varied effects observed in existing literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the PB process, assess citizen engagement opportunities, and identify challenges in Busia County ten years post-devolution. Employing a qualitative case study design, the research involved semi-structured interviews with 102 purposively selected participants from seven sub-counties. Data analysis utilized content analysis techniques to derive insights into the PB process, citizen perceptions, and outcomes. The findings reveal that while PB in Busia County has potential benefits such as enhanced transparency and public learning, significant challenges persist. These include limited access to information, inadequate citizen engagement, and public cynicism regarding the budgeting process. The implications of this study underscore the need for a restructured PB framework that fosters genuine citizen participation and accountability in governance. The study therefore puts forward establishment of clear PB legislation, enhanced feedback mechanisms following participatory forums, and improved accessibility of bu