Assessment of factors influencing inclusion of people with disabilities in county planning and budgeting: the case of Muhoroni sub-county, Kisumu county

Abstract

In the 21st century, disability issues have gained prominence in discussions surrounding inclusive development. These concerns are not only evident in global development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but have also been enshrined in national laws and policies worldwide. Despite these significant policy achievements, evidence still indicates that development processes often fail to truly address the needs of people with disabilities (PWDs), remaining inadequately sensitive to their unique requirements especially due to their non-inclusion into the process. In Kenya, the introduction of the devolved system of governance in 2013 aimed to bring policymaking and decision-making closer to PWDs, similar to other segments of the public. While numerous studies have examined public participation in various aspects of county governance processes, a lack of research specifically explores the extent of PWDs' engagement in county-level planning and budgeting processes. This study addresses this gap by focusing on the participation of PWDs in county planning and budgeting, particularly in rural areas – areas that often present challenges such as limited transportation and geographical detachment from town halls, where much public participation occurs, further environmentally discouraging PWDs involvement. The study's selected site, the Muhoroni sub-county, exemplifies these rural characteristics. The specific objectives of this research were as follows: to assess the level of awareness among rural-based PWDs regarding legal and policy documents concerned with planning and budgeting; to explore the structures employed to enhance participation of rural-based PWDs in county development processes; and to analyze the methods used to mobilize rural-based PWDs for participation in planning and budgeting processes. The study employed a mixed-methods research design and drew upon the Social Model Theory of Disability, which differentiates between impairment and disability, attributing the exclusion of PWDs to socially created barriers. The study population included 775 PWDs from the five wards of the Muhoroni sub-county from which a sample size of 30% was chosen and surveyed, as well as 19 key informants representing various levels of PWD organizations and policy-level actors purposively selected, and 5 FGDs with PWDs self-help groups from the five wards. Data collection utilized survey questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). The qualitative findings were subjected to qualitative thematic content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using SPSS v.20. The mixed-methods approach enhanced data triangulation for a comprehensive analysis. Findings showed low awareness of legal provisions. Inclusion structures exist but were perceived ineffective, inhibiting PWDs' participation, and finally, mobilization strategies yielded mixed success. Rural challenges constrained participation, including transportation and communication barriers. In conclusion, PWDs' participation in county planning and budgeting faced multifaceted challenges. Awareness, inclusion structure effectiveness, and mobilization emerged as critical issues. These findings underscored the need for targeted interventions to promote PWDs' inclusion and ensure equitable development. By addressing these findings, countries can foster a more inclusive society that values and integrates the perspectives of all citizens, regardless of ability, and contribute eventually to the global clarion call: “leaving no one behind”.