Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the factor influencing citizen participation
in village assembly meeting, a case of INYALA ward at Mbeya district council. The
study was guided by three research objectives which include, understanding the
levels of citizen participation in statutory village assembly meeting at INYALA
ward, to identify factors hindering citizen participation in statutory village assembly
meeting at INYALA ward and to identify means of improving citizen attendance in
statutory village assembly meeting at INYALA ward.
The study was underpinned by a case study design whereby a sample size of 20 was
selected through convenience and purposively sampling techniques. The researcher
used interview, questionnaires and documentary review as the tools of data
collection; whereas the qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis.
The findings of the study show that, levels of citizen participation in statutory village
assembly meeting at INYALA ward whereby the levels of citizen participations in
statutory village assembly village at INYALA ward is low that is highly influenced
by, lack of trust to village leader, lack of awareness and geographical distances. The
findings of the study show that at INYALA ward citizen are lowly participated on
various matters related to the village.
Also the findings of the study reveal that, means of improving citizen attendance in
statutory village assembly meeting at INYALA ward, whereby the findings of the
study show that education to citizen about the important of attending in statutory
village assembly meetings, the use of village bylaws effectively to ensure citizen
participation in statutory village assembly meeting, increase village leaders
responsibilities to citizen and early preparation of village assembly timetable. The
findings of the study show that through providing such measures to an extent they
will help to improve citizen’s participation to the village assembly.
Furthermore, citizen participation is said to be very important not only for social
development of the certain village but also an individual at large whereby, through
citizen participation at the villages meeting is there where the agreements are bided
to everyone no matter an individual was participated so it’s very important.
The researcher was recommended to local government leaders and villagers that both
between local government leaders and citizens they should make sure that there is
effective participating to the village assembly.
