This book is a result of public dialogue forums in pursuit of
accountable and transparent governance in Kenya organized by Twaweza
Communications with the support of Ford Foundation. From the convenings
it was evident that the stability of Kenya will be driven by the extent
to which citizens feel fully included in the development agenda. Quite
often, political leaders view the role of citizens in governance as
restricted primarily to their participation in the electoral process.
This narrow view has led to arrogance and total disregard of citizens
after poll results are announced. Under the new political dispensation
heralded by the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya on August 27,
2010 this trend must change and the sovereignty of the people, in theory
and practice, must be reinscribed. The publication raises important
issues worth serious reflection. It also suggests ways in which citizens
can better participate in their own transformation. Case studies
highlighted in the book exemplify the importance building the Kenyan
nation by addressing patterns of exclusion and glaring inequalities. The
topics covered include multipartism, natural resource governance,
gender, politics of identity, marginalization of Coastal Kenya, youth
empowerment and investing in knowledge economy among others. The book is
a valuable addition to our understanding of the root political and
social anxieties in Kenya and how these could be ameliorated.
