Thesis:

Influence of civil society organizations on public policy Formulation in Wajir east sub county, Kenya

In Wajir East Sub County, as in many other regions, CSOs were essential in bridging the gap between the government and the community, ensuring that public policies were more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the local population. The general objective of the study was to investigate the effects of civil society organizations on public policy formulation in Wajir East Sub county, Kenya. The study also achieved the following specific objectives: to determine the effect of policy issue salience on public policy formulation in Wajir East Sub county, Kenya; to investigate the effect of policy advocacy strategies on public policy formulation in Wajir East Sub county, Kenya; to examine the effect of community mobilization and support on public policy formulation in Wajir East Sub county, Kenya; and to assess the effect of political environment on public policy formulation in Wajir East Sub county, Kenya. The study was supported by two research theories; They included; Pluralism Theory and Advocacy Coalition Framework. This study used a descriptive, quantitative research design. Key Wajir East Sub County public policy stakeholders were the target population. Civil society in Wajir East Sub County was fractured with 203 groups. Stratified random sampling was used to choose 134 participants from the target demographic to guarantee diversity. The research tools were semi structured interviews and structured questionnaires for quantitative data. The quantitative data was evaluated using statistical techniques and the qualitative data using theme analysis. Findings show that civil society groups prioritize policy problems, use varied lobbying techniques, and generate community support. The political context greatly affects government responsiveness and civil society policy advocacy. Community participation improves policy efficacy, whereas political stability aids civil society advocacy. Despite challenges during times of political uncertainty, civil society organizations play a crucial role in shaping public policies responsive to community needs and priorities. The study recommended stakeholders in Wajir East Sub County prioritize salient policy issues, collaborate to raise awareness, and engage communities in decision-making. Civil society organizations should employ diverse advocacy strategies, engage in grassroots mobilization, and strengthen research capacities. Political stability and inclusivity should be prioritized for effective policy formulation.