How Citizens Can Shape Their Cities: A Handbook for Participation

The handbook, titled Citizens Forum Handbook (CFH), is a product of a collaboration between the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the Council of Governors, and CSUDP under the KUSP. It is based on the experiences, practices, and lessons learnt from various citizens’ formations in the Counties of Kenya.

The handbook provides a practical understanding of the mandate, structures, mechanisms, and tools of engagement of the Citizens Forum (CF), as envisaged under section 22 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011 (amended 2019). It also provides training and capacity-strengthening opportunities for the CF to perform effectively and accountably.

The handbook is divided into four sections that cover the fundamentals, establishment, performance, and accountability of the CF. It uses a simple and interactive approach, including frequently asked questions, stepwise processes, and illustrative examples. It also uses a philosophy of Claims, Obligations, and Values (COV) that dictate the space and Interest, Influence, and Character (IIC) that determine the issues for the CF.

The handbook was launched at a pilot training session held on 01 November 2023 at the Council of Governors in Nairobi. The session was attended by representatives from the Local Urban Forums (LUFs), which are existing citizens’ formations in various urban areas. The session aimed to test and validate the handbook and to solicit feedback from the participants.

The handbook is expected to be a valuable resource for both the institutional actors and the citizens’ formations in enhancing citizens’ participation in urban governance and development.