Public participation in planning process in kenya: a case of Githunguri Division

Abstract

Public participation in planning process is a prerequisite of a successful plan implementation, be it physical or economic development plan. In some countries like Britain, Planning Act state clearly the role the public should play in planning process to ensure successful plan implementation and co-operation between planners and the public. Effective public participation in planning process in Kenya is in its embryonic stage and there Eire no rules of conduct as regards such public participation. In recent time, the government has been seeking ways of involving the public in planning process.

This study has been concerned with training the development of planning policy in Kenya in relation to public participation, the nature of public participation vis-a-vis the planning principles followed by professional planners; the impact of public participation on development policies and the possible methods of improving and activiting public participation in planning process. The study is in TWO PARTS.

The first section of PART ORE - Introduction - discusses the theoretical justifications underlying the concept of public participation in planning and relates them to the Kenyan situation in general. The second section of PART ONE - (Chapter 11 and 111) - traces the development of public participation and its nature from colonial era to the present time.

The first section of PART TWO - (Chapters IV and V) - is a case study of Githunguri Division of Kiambu District in Central Province in which an attempt is made to analyse the nature of public participation and assess the capacity of the local people to participate in planning process. Self-help planning has been used as a case in point.

The last section of PART WO - discusses the major findings and proposing appropriate reforms, both in policy matters as well as the execution of plans and the limitations which are envisaged.