Despite the acknowledgment that participatory approaches in development have potential in understanding and designing development programmes and policies, perceptions of development continue to be dominated by outsiders including professionals and other development agents, most of who do not experience the conditions. Using qualitative data collected from residents of Makueni County of Eastern Kenya, this paper attempts to involve Makueni community members in the conceptualization of development in their context and outlining possible strategies to address the identified development issues. The study finds a community keen on participating in development and who are able to rank their development needs and priorities, emphasizing the importance of water in driving development, as well as the perceived hierarchical nature of development. The study recommends the use of both macro and micro approaches to development where development recipients are involved in development plans and decisions.