Role of citizen participation in local development planning in Murewa district

ABSTRACT Contemporary development entails adopting democratic principles of all-inclusive participation, accountability of authorities to the citizens and transparency among others. This article examines the role of citizen participation in development planning in the Murewa Rural District (MRD). It used a mixed methods approach to collect data. Thirty interviews and eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with key informants that is council officials and government representatives were conducted. 396 survey questionnaires were used to collected data from community members and the statistical and thematic approach to analyse data. Results show that the role of citizens in development planning in MRD remains constrained and fragmented. This constrained development which citizens argue is designed and implemented by a few elites. Through decentralized and participatory development is evident within the structures in MRD it has not translated to the practical engagement of community members but an opportunity to establish working local government systems. The citizens are only limited to financial and political involvement through budgeting and the election of leaders. However, citizen involvement is a development goal critical in ensuring community-rooteddevelopment is achieved. The research recommends citizens be considered as agents of change in meaniful development acceptable to the community which it is meant to benefit.