Public Participation in Strategic Policy Management and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya.

The significance of Public Participation in Strategic Policy Management for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, cannot be understated. This research project seeks to investigate how Public Participation influence sustainable socio-economic development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The specific objectives to this study include investigating the effect of public participation during the strategy formulation phase on sustainable socio-economic development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya; assessing the impact of public participation during the strategy implementation phase on sustainable socio-economic development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya; and evaluating the effect of public participation during the strategy evaluation phase on sustainable socio-economic development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The study is grounded in three theoretical frameworks, namely Stakeholder Theory, Governance Theory and Sustainable Development theory. In order to accomplish the stated objectives, a descriptive research design was employed for this study. The research covered all 20 wards in Taita Taveta County. A sample size of 422 respondents was drawn from 9 County Executive Committee Members, 14 Ward Administrators, 14 Members of the County Assembly and 385 household representatives. Household representatives were selected using stratified random sampling while key informants from the government's executive and legislative arms was chosen through purposive sampling. The research utilized descriptive research design approach, combining surveys and interviews administered through questionnaires and interview schedules as primary sources, supplemented by secondary sources such as policy documents and briefs. The collected data underwent comprehensive analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Descriptive analysis, including means, modes, and standard deviations, was employed to delineate the basic characteristics of the study population. Inferential statistics like Pearson's Product Moment correlation and multiple regression models discerned relationships between variables. Throughout the research process, ethical considerations were paramount with adherence to established protocols. This research offered a deep understanding of how public participation, as a strategic management practice, contribute to sustainable socio-economic development. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of strategic management practices, potentially informing recommendations for enhancing sustainable socio-economic development in the county. The study's findings, highlights the significant roles of public participation on Strategy Formulation, Strategic Policy Evaluation, Institutional Capacity, and Strategic Policy Implementation in driving Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. Key findings include the strong positive impact of Institutional Capacity and Public Participation in Strategic Policy Evaluation, with recommendations focused on enhancing organizational frameworks, implementing continuous public engagement during policy evaluation, and improving strategic planning and execution. Further research is suggested on external factors influencing development, the role of emerging technologies, and the long-term impacts of strategic policies.