Analysis of Public Participation on Utilization of Resources in Mandera West Sub County, Mandera, Kenya
Abstract
Public participation is critical when undertaking county functions such as resource budgeting and utilization and often determines the success or the failure of county development projects. The implementation of public participation in the utilization of public resource in Mandera West Sub County is still very low. In addition, utilization of public resources remains a significant challenge in Mandera West Sub County. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of public participation on allocation of resources for utilization in Mandera West Sub County. The specific objectives of the paper entailed; determining the effect of stakeholder engagement and public communication strategies on the utilization of public resources in Mandera West Sub County. The study also tested the moderating effects of legal requirements on the relationship between public participation and utilization of public resources in Mandera West Sub County. The theories adapted to guide this study included the new public management theory and ladder of Citizen Participation Theory. The study employed mixed approach methodology by combining quantitative and quantitative data collected through semi structured questionnaire and interview template. The target population was 5 ward representatives and 16, 701 members of the public. A sample size of 376 residents was calculated using Krejcie and Morgan sampling table whereas a census of all the 5 ward representatives was conducted. Data analysis entailed descriptive and inferential statistics and was conducted by use of SPSS Version 23.0. Results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between stakeholder engagement and the allocation of resources for utilization in Mandera West Sub County (?=.474, p=0.000<0.05). Public communication strategies was positively and significantly related to the allocation of resources for utilization in Mandera West Sub County (?=.428, p=0.000<0.05). The model further showed that adhering to legal requirements in the relationship between public participation and utilization of public resources was satisfactory since the coefficient of determination of the model summary before moderation was 61.7% but after moderation the coefficient of determination improved to 74.2% implying that adherence to legal requirements enhances utilization of public resources. Based on research finding it can be concluded that stakeholder engagement and public communication strategies positively affects the allocation of resources for utilization in Mandera West Sub County. It can also be concluded that legal requirements moderate the relationship between public participation and utilization of public resources. There is need to engage all stakeholders including county officers, national government officers and community whom may give their views and opinions through open forums and seminars on how resources are utilized. The study recommends for clear mechanism on how opinions are raised by stakeholders are incorporated so as to improve utilizations of public funds. The mode of communicating and holding public events may be enhanced by conducting rotational public meetings across the wards. There is need to promote civic education on the use of public resources among the members of the public.
Keywords: stakeholder engagement, public communication strategies, legal requirements, utilization of public resources, Mandera West Sub County
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