Challenges to Participatory Democracy: The Politics of The New Devolved Democratic System In Kenya

Participation is increasingly being viewed as a prerequisite to a democracy achieving its overall developmental objectives. The inclusion of participation to the concept of democracy makes it inherent for its consideration in democratic systems. The democratic transition being witnessed in most African countries is growing and slowly moving beyond representative electoral democracy to other forms such as participatory democracy, which have substantive and profound significance for the citizenry . Participatory democracy is a people centered democracy characterized by participatory and consultative national policy process and are viewed as slated to attain positive social · and economic development. However, to relinquish the power for decision making from the ruling political elite to the people is precarious, even more for African countries where the concept of democracy is viewed as an alien form of governance blindly em braced from the West. The study offers an analysis of the on-going devolution processes in Kenya characteristics to participatory democracy. The study also investigates the intricate political dynamics and challenges brought about by devolution .