𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 2010 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧?

Public participation in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya is about empowering citizens to contribute to decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are heard in governance, and holding leaders accountable. The Constitution outlines various mechanisms for this, including involvement in legislative processes, access to information, and transparency.

However, it seems there's a gap between the constitutional provisions and the reality on the ground. Many Kenyans might not fully understand their rights and powers under the Constitution, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Recent examples such as the way the public was treated during the impeachment case of Rigathi Gachagua, the process that gave us SHA, and now the KSh 323 billion health deal with the U.S. government highlight concerns about how public participation is being implemented. The political class thinks they are the owners of Kenya and that what they say goes, and that is why they are signing and making deals without citizens’ input. If citizens ask questions, they unleash police brutality on them. Educating citizens about their rights and the importance of public participation is crucial for ensuring accountability and good governance.

Citizens' power to contribute to governance is a cornerstone of democracy. In Kenya, the 2010 Constitution emphasizes public participation, allowing citizens to influence decision-making processes. This includes involvement in legislative processes, budgeting, and policy-making.

Some key areas where citizens can exercise this power include: • Participating in public hearings and consultations • Providing feedback on proposed laws and policies • Engaging with elected representatives and government officials • Joining community groups or organizations advocating for specific causes • Accessing information and holding leaders accountable

Effective public participation requires awareness, education, and an enabling environment something Kenyans must reclaim by force if politicians won’t cede the ground. We are gearing up for an election in about 16 months, and the Election Campaign Finance Act (ECFA) 2013 of Kenya the court has already pronounced itself on this issue sets guidelines on money in politics, but no one is talking about it.

I pray that as we go into 2026, Kenyans will wake up and get involved. We have only one country to safeguard before we lose it to the dogs. To my brothers and sisters, let’s set our differences aside and get back into the trenches before it’s too late.