Effects of Budget Economic Forums on Public Participation: A Case of Makueni County, Kenya

The study was on Effects of Budget Economic Forums on Public Participation in Makueni County. The establishment of the CBEF at county level through the Public Finance Management Act, (2012) was intended to enhance public participation at the county. The essence of this study was to find out the influence of County Budget and Economic Forums (CBEF) in enhancing public participation at county level. The objectives of the study were: to determine the capacity of CBEF Members, their representation, coordination mechanism and contribution to the budget making process. Data was collected using questionnaires to gauge attitudes, values, and opinions of CBEF members on the budget making process. A census was conducted for all the CBEF members; questionnaires were emailed to them. The response rate for the CBEF members was 73 per cent. The findings of the study were evaluated in light of three theories namely: game theory, elite/mass theory, and stakeholder theory. Collected data was coded, collated and analysed in different themes, and presented in tables inform as frequencies and percentages. The main findings of the study were: the CBEF members lacked training on some critical skills, there was inadequate or lack of representation from some social groups, inadequate public participation coordination and improper contribution on the budget process. There is therefore need for CBEF members training, enhanced coordination, representation and consultation for effective participation on budget making process at Makueni county.