Analysis Of Determinants Of Methodology To Be Employed In Planning Public Participation In Kenya: A Case Of Bomet County

ABSTRACT

Complex decision making processes require a more informed citizenry that arrives at a mutually agreed upon decision or at least one by which all parties can abide. This calls for public engagement in planning activities. The central problem of this study is the need to know the determinants of methodology used to engage the public in planning public participation in Bomet County. Studies indicated that participation in planning activities is affected by methodology used. This enthused the researcher into study of the determinants of methodology in public participation which is the purpose of this study. There are limited Studies on the alternate methods of public participation and the determinants on these methods. In light of the above, the study will carry out a study on the determinants of Methods of Public Participation (MoPP) in planning for the public participation forum. The independent variables in the study are the group dynamics, space availability, legal framework and the project scope while dependent variable is the methods of public participation i.e public hearing and community workshop. The theories to be used in the study are stakeholder and agency theories. Similar studies appeared not to have been carried out in Bomet County and therefore the county was purposively selected for the study. A literature review along with field research will be undertaken to examine the available information on methodology of public participation and it‘s determinants. The researcher will carry out observation with categorized note taking on three public forums to observe the proceedings of the public participation forums. Three out of five Sub-counties i.e Bomet East, Bomet Central and Sotik will be purposely sampled. A sample of 10% to 30% is appropriate for the descriptive study. Random sampling will also apply during the pilot study in which interviewees from public officers will be randomly selected in the two sub-counties not involved in the main study. The data collected will be analyzed using frequency distribution tables and cross-tabulations which will be followed by chi-square confidence and significance level tests. The data will be presented in tables, pie charts, graphs and in narrative form. After study, determinants of MoPP in Planning for public participation event will be established. This will help close the conundrum of issues affecting the methodology in planning Public Participation