The National Assembly has approved the Public Participation Bill, 2025, designed to strengthen citizen involvement in government decision-making processes and improve accountability in public engagement.
Co-sponsored by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkong’a, the legislation establishes principles and guidelines for conducting public participation. It also designates the government institutions responsible for organizing these engagements, including Parliament, county assemblies, constitutional commissions, and other public entities.
The bill responds to long-standing concerns about how citizens are involved in decisions affecting them. The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs conducted extensive nationwide public hearings and stakeholder consultations before presenting the bill.
Committee chairperson Gitonga Murugara emphasized that the new law will harmonize public participation practices across government bodies once enacted. He noted that specific regulations will be developed by the respective institutions to implement the framework effectively.
During parliamentary debate, lawmakers stressed the importance of meaningful public participation that goes beyond mere procedural compliance. They advocated for public documents to be accessible in multiple languages and called for the inclusion of sign language services to ensure people with hearing disabilities can engage fully.
Once signed into law, the Public Participation Bill is expected to standardize citizen engagement nationwide, providing a common framework for informing and involving Kenyans on policies, programs, and decisions.
