Public Awareness and Participatory Budget-Making in Devolved Government: Evidence from Uriri Sub-County, Kenya

Public participation is a constitutional and administrative requirement in Kenya's devolved system, yet meaningful participation in county budget making depends partly on whether citizens receive timely, trustworthy and understandable budget information. This article examined the relationship between public awareness and the budget making process in Uriri Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and a mixed-methods orientation. The estimated target adult population was 63,600, the planned sample was 398, and 372 completed questionnaires were analysed. Primary data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression, while qualitative information was analysed through content analysis. The public awareness construct was reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.789). Findings showed divided perceptions of county openness: 47.8% considered the county government open in providing information, while 52.2% did not. Reliable and comprehensive public finance information was accessible to a high extent for 25.8% of respondents, to a low extent for 54.0%, and not at all for 20.2%. Public awareness recorded an overall mean of 3.38 (SD = 0.852). It was positively associated with the budget making process (r = 0.542, p < .001). In a multivariable model adjusting for public involvement and budget allocation, public awareness remained a statistically significant predictor (B = 0.198, SE = 0.041, standardized beta = 0.216, t = 4.829, p < .001). Qualitative findings indicated that citizens valued information delivered through ward administrators and chiefs' barazas but experienced difficulties with technical budget information, reactive civic education and late disclosure. The article concludes that public awareness is significantly associated with the budget making process and recommends continuous civic education and timely, accessible dissemination of development plans, public accounts and participation notices.