Public participation Critical to Devolution (A Focus on Laikipia County)

Involving the members of the public is a very critical aspect of leadership and devolution.

When elected for a public office, a leader is the representative of the people, thus echoing the voice of the people to the state.

The county government of Laikipia has not been left out in promoting the public’s participation in making critical decisions and running county activities.

The public participation has propelled leadership in the county a great deal. It has been of importance in the following ways:

1. Provided solutions to problems.

It is said that if you want to go faster, walk alone but if you want to go far, walk together. This saying can be reflected to the success of Laikipia county.

By involving the people of the county, the governor, Ndiritu Muriithi has achieved a number of milestones. Getting closer to the people, you would understand their needs, whatever they go through and even what they think about a certain action that the county has taken.

As a matter of fact, people tend to speak out their minds genuinely when they see their leader is lending them a listening ear. This, in turn, has made the county boss adjust and adopt faster and even make the necessary changes as required by the people.

2. Promoted cohesion

When different people come together, with different views and opinions, when they are focused on achieving a particular goal, they will have to agree and abandon their differences. They will have to focus on their similarities.

This has helped to create and build a positive relationship among the people and their county bosses too. Cohesion is another way to promote peace and tranquility.

3. Improved quality of services, projects, and programs

This obviously comes as a result of public participation. Where people are free to air their views. Services also improve when the leaders are close to their people. They feel like they belong to them, they think like them, they understand them and, in the end, they would act in accordance to how they would want others to serve them. Several activities done in the county of Laikipia, have been aided through public involvement.

4. Meaningful decision-making

This means that any decision made by the county involves the wants and needs of the members of the public. Nobody would be left out of the decision-making process.

The county government of Laikipia has most decisions that are made influenced by the people. The interests of the people are put before any other selfish need. That is a quality of leadership embraced by the governor, Ndiritu Muriithi.