The Four Dimensions of Participation: A Kenyan Case Study

Abstract: This thesis takes as its point of departure Wale Wale Kenya - an NGO located in Kibera, Nairobi that has been created by a group of youths from the Kibera slums. It is unusual in being founded, run and controlled by a group who are beneficiaries of many projects, but seldom owns the NGOs that initiate those projects. Using a case study approach this research investigates the youth’s own perception of their participation. The data is structured by a theoretical framework developed for this study. The framework conceptualises participation as collective power and divides it into four dimensions to be studied: degree, scope, inclusiveness and effectiveness. This theoretical tool can be used to analyse any instance of participation since these four aspects are the central dimensions of the concept and, in addition, tend to differ a lot. After Wale Wale Kenya has been described according to the youth’s perceptions the focus is moved to the theoretical framework itself and the connections between its dimensions as highlighted by the case study. It is concluded that it is impossible to reach the maximum level of all of them at the same time. Therefore, those who wish to use participatory methods should start from their primary goal and choose strategy based on the balance between the dimensions that suits their priorities.