Participatory Development in Kenya

Book excerpt: Participatory Development (PDev) has been embraced by Third World governments and international organizations such as the World Bank as a means to reduce poverty and empower disadvantaged communities. The emphasis on creating partnerships and using participatory and people-centred approaches has obvious political appeal, yet there is evidence that in practice interventions designed to increase PDev and reduce poverty have yet to have the desired empowerment, transformation and sustainability effect. Using an in-depth study of the Basic Education Improvement Project (BEIP) implemented by the Government of Kenya, the authors of this book critically assess the fit between policy, practice and theory of PDev to shed light on theoretical debates that are on-going in development.