Dissertation (MA Development Studies)To realize participation of the citizens in local governance, Tanzania has opted for decentralization by devolution (D-by-D). To support D-by-D, Tanzania has made citizens’ participation a mandatory aspect. The Mtaa Committee is a body that has been entrusted with duties of mobilizing citizens’ participation in urban local governance. The general objective of the research was to assess the performance of Mtaa Committees in enhancing participation in urban governance in Tanzania. The specific objectives were (a) to delineate the link between urban local governance and mtaa assemblies (b) to find out the status of Mtaa Committees and their functioning, and (c) to find the constraints that hinder citizens’ participation. The research was cross-sectional, conducted at Kikuyu Mission Mtaa Committee in Dodoma municipality. Data collection covered both primary and secondary sources. The sample size was 66. The selection of respondents was both random and purposive. Survey and interview methods were used to get information. Data analysis employed Excel and SPSS computer programs. Pilot study was conducted so as to ensure validity and reliability. Findings reveal that there were several shortfalls in the entire exercise of citizens’ participation in governance at the Mtaa committee level in urban communities. In many instances, what was written in legal and policy papers about participation had not been exactly matching with the actual exercise at the field. It was recommended that the government should review the whole process of involving citizens in governance under the umbrella of decentralization.