Department of Public Policy and Administration

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Browsing Department of Public Policy and Administration by Subject "Kenya"

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    Fiscal Decentralisation and Perceived Service Performance of Selected County Governments in Kenya
    (2022) Rutto, Andrew Kimutai; Minja David; Kosimbei George
    Globally, the public has been dissatisfied with the centralized approaches to service delivery at local levels; coupled with underperformance in development aspects. Therefore, fiscal decentralisation is widely recognized as an approach that seeks to improve public service delivery at the local government levels. However, despite the fiscal decentralization framework, the service performance at the county level is still wanting. Thus, the study sought to examine how fiscal decentralization affects service performance at selected county governments in Kenya. The study objectives include: examining the effect of locally generated revenue (LGR), expenditure decentralisation, intergovernmental fiscal transfers (IGFT) and county government borrowing on the service performance of selected county governments in Kenya. Further, the study assessed the mediating effects of accountability practices on service performance of selected county governments in Kenya. The study was anchored on fiscal decentralisation, agency and New Public Management (NPM) theories and adopted an interpretivism philosophical approach and employed a descriptive design with a target population of 400 opinion leaders from Kiambu, Vihiga and Baringo Counties. The study sampled 103 using a random sampling technique and interviewed nine selected directors from budget, finance and planning departments. The data were collected using questionnaires and document review. The questionnaire was validated through panel review, piloting and exploratory factor analysis and was then subjected to an inter-consistency test using a Cronbach's coefficient statistic ≥ 0.70 indicating that the instrument was reliable. Data was analysed using descriptively and subjected to an inferential statistics at 0.05 significance levels. The diagnostic tests were conducted ensure that all the assumptions regarding the linear regression were not violated. The study achieved a 91% response rate from the opinion leaders and 66.7% from directors. The correlational analysis indicated that service performance positively correlated with LGR; expenditure decentralization, IGFT and accountability practices and negatively correlated with county government borrowing. Regression analysis indicated that all fiscal decentralization components were statistically significant, (F(5, 88) = 15.38, p <0.00) in explaining 47% change in service performance with locally generated revenue, β = 0.2072 (t = 2.75, p< 0.05); expenditure decentralization, β = 0.2903(t= 3.55, p< 0.05); intergovernmental fiscal transfers, β = 0.3108, (t = 3.43, p< 0.05); and county government borrowing, β = -0.1389(t = -2.61, p< 0.05). The mediating effect of accountability practices was statistically significant (F (5, 88) = 19.56, p <0.05), in explaining 53% change in service performance. Based on the findings, the study rejected all the null hypotheses and concluded that LGR, expenditure decentralization, IGFT and county government borrowing have a significant effect on service performance. Accountability practices mediate the relationship between fiscal decentralization and service performance. The study recommendation includes; the county governments should seek and integrate new revenue bases, involve citizens in the annual fiscal budgeting process, ensure timely fiscal transfers from the national government and establish a policy framework to support borrowing by the county governments. Regarding policy implications, the county government should adhere to the public finance management Act during the fiscal budgeting process and deepen their revenue bases. The study contributes to the existing knowledge by delving into the elements of fiscal decentralization under the new constitutional dispensation in Kenya. Recommendations for further studies include studies on how decentralization impacts the capacity of the county governments, how decentralization improves the quality of governance at the local level and how the East African Community could affect governance and service delivery at the sub-national levels.
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    Government Bureaucracy and Service Delivery in State-Owned Enterprises in the Energy Sector in Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2023) Jason Chewa; David Minja; Jane Gakenia Njoroge
    Government and private institutions all over the world recognize the cardinal role of service delivery in attaining a competitive advantage in a dynamic market. State-owned enterprises in the Energy sector are a major foundation upon which the economic, social and political development strategies are built in order to actualize the Vision 2030 as well as the Big Four agenda. They enjoy monopoly in the provision of services to the public. However, despite reforms to reduce public sector bureaucracy, the public still face many hurdles in accessing government service, the level of public dissatisfaction on service delivery is high, one of the contributors being politicization of appointments of Board of Directors that leads to insufficient competence and legal frameworks. This thesis investigated the effect of government bureaucracy on service delivery in state-owned enterprises within the energy sector in Kenya. It especially aimed at establishing the influence of leadership hierarchy, actors’ interest, policy compliance and political environment on service delivery in state-owned enterprises. Further, the thesis analysed the moderating role of working environment on the relationship between government bureaucracy and delivery of services. The target population comprised 124 suppliers, 5,107 end-user consumers, 1,817 employees in KPLC plus 480 employees in REREC and 30 employees from the Energy regulator (EPRA). A sample of 380 individuals/households was selected using a two-stage sampling procedure comprising stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Empirical data for this thesis was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires. The validity and reliability of the data collection tool was assessed to confirm the suitability of the tool for use in the study. Multiple and stepwise linear regression were conducted on the data set that had been gathered from the field. Ethical research considerations were also effected in the collection and analysis of data. The findings of the thesis demonstrated that leadership hierarchy, actor’s interest, policy compliance and political environment had a positive and significant effect on delivery of services in state-owned enterprises within the energy sector in Kenya. Additionally, the study found out that working environment moderates the relationship between government bureaucracy and delivery of services. As such, the study recommends that management of state-owned enterprises should enact policies to reinforce practices on aspects of leadership power to promote leadership motivation and leadership delegation. Further, it recommends that a policy framework be formulated for promoting activities related to actors’ participation, decision making and efficient flow of information in state-owned enterprises. Audit divisions in state-owned enterprises should strengthen the existing policy framework to sufficiently embed practices that foster culture of compliance with rules and regulations, work instructions and personnel selection. The board of management of the state-owned enterprises within the energy sector should initiate mechanisms for cushioning itself from disruptive interference of interest groups with potential to erode operational efficiency and ability to actualize service delivery outcomes. The human resource divisions of state-owned enterprises ought to enact policy that buttresses mutual trust, team spirit, sharing of information, openness and a sense of belonging. In addition, sufficient resources should be availed for strengthening information and communication infrastructure, which is one of the critical support systems.
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    Influence of financial policy on performance of selected public secondary schools in the North Rift Region, Kenya between 2015 and 2020
    (Kenyatta University, 2023) Tanui, Ezekiel Kibet
    The importance of financial policy in the performance of educational institutions cannot be underestimated. Key performance indicators would largely depend on funding. The performance of educational institutions is a key feature of the education system in any country. This has direct influence on the social economic development since the students’ academic outcomes will register as positive externalities and this in turn drive socioeconomic progress in a country. Crucially, financial resources play a pivotal role in the advancement of the education agenda. It is up to the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the required resources are provided for optimum school performance. Despite efforts by the Kenyan government, parents and other stakeholders to provide financial resources in secondary schools, the performance of many public schools remain poor. There are few studies on the influence of financial policy on the performance of educational institutions and this study should add to the current body of knowledge on financing secondary education. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of financial policy on performance of educational institutions in North Rift region, specifically, Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties. The specific objectives of the study were: To determine the influence of government financial allocation on performance of public selected secondary schools; To determine the influence of timing of release of government funds on performance of selected public secondary schools; To determine the influence of school fees revenue stream on performance of public selected secondary schools; To determine the influence of bursary on performance of public selected secondary schools. The theories used to frame this work were the Resource Based View, Human Capital and Contingency Theory. The study adopted interpretivist philosophical approach. The target population was 1,672 respondents from 278 public secondary schools. Using the Taro Yamane formulae a 322 sample size derived. The research used stratified sampling techniques. Self-administered questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The questionnaire was validated through panel review, piloting and exploratory factor analysis. The questionnaire was then subjected to an inter-consistency test using a Cronbach’s coefficient. With an alpha of up to 0.6, the questionnaire was judged reliable. The research is descriptive and explanatory in design. Inferential analysis, specifically the chi-square was used to establish the relationship between variables. The independent variables included government allocation, timing of release of government funds, school fees revenue stream and bursary award to needy students. The dependant variable is performance of selected public secondary schools. The study concluded that financial policy influnces performance of public secondary schools. Public policy determines the government allocation to schools, timing of release of government funds, school fees revenue stream and financial aid to needy students. The results show that financial policy does influence performance of educational institutions. The study recommends that both the national and county governments should ensure that the amount allocated to finance school programmes is adequate considering high enrolment rate due to 100% transition policy. The National government should ensure that the disbursement of funds reaches the targeted schools on the stipulated time. The study also recommends that the Ministry of Education should come up with appropriate strategies that ensure that performance of the schools is not affected by unprecedented challenges brought about by pandemics such as COVID-19. The school management should encourage the parents/guardians to honour their agreement so as to avoid bad debts accruing. The stakeholders involved in the allocation of bursaries to public secondary schools should ensure that it is allocated on time. The study also recommends that the allocation of funds should consider the increasing number of needy students. The approval and release of funds should be simplified to avoid delays.
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    Influence of policy networks on policy process outcomes in road transport sector within Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta university, 2023) Ombagi, Cornelius N.
    Policy networks approach has gained prominence among scholars. This is due to myriad complex problems in public policy processes and management. Many policies are designed and implemented without meaningful participation of citizens, particularly through the informal institutions of policy networks. The study population consisted of 470 policy networks of formal and informal institutions, managers, members of legislative committees and frontline staff in the road transport sector within the Nairobi City County, Kenya. Mixed methods research design with explanatory sequential design was used to examine the quantitative and qualitative aspects on the influence of policy networks on policy process outcomes. The study was guided by five research questions. This study applied multiple streams, advocacy coalition, complex, and policy network theories. The theories enhanced understanding on causal mechanisms for the variables. A pilot study was conducted with sample of 10% to test validity and reliability of research instruments. The validity and reliability of the Likert scale items was tested using Cronbach alpha of 0.70. Purposive sampling was used to select 453 respondents. A roaster was generated using snowballing techniques in the identification of key respondents. The study used semis-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observation schedules, diary and focused group discussions to collect primary data and document analysis of road transport sector policy documents from 1973 to 2021. A total of 407 participated in the survey. Of this, 307 responded in the survey translating to a response rate of 75.43% for quantitative data. Similarly, 42 responded providing qualitative data. This translates to a response rate of 93.33%, which comprised of indepth interviews with 20 key informants, two focused group discussion with 13 and 10 respondents. Detailed descriptions on processes and triangulation of the qualitative data with document and content analysis ensured credibility and trustworthiness of the study. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine effects of independent variables on the dependent variables. Further, Social Network Analysis (SNA) was conducted to provide clarity structural features of influencing policy network types. Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) analysis was conducted and results were corroborated with those for SNA. The R2 and p-values were used for test significance and make inference while F-models test goodness of fit. In addition, diagnostic test was conducted on multiple regression analysis. Findings show that policy network legitimacy (70.1%), policy network collaboration (56.1%) and policy network type (53.5%) have positive and significant influence on road transport sector policy process outcomes. Further, policy network managers’ role had 43.4% and policy network individual actors’ characteristics had 33.9% positively contributed to influence policy process outcome. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya (GoK) should: Support both formal and informal policy network types to ensure that diversity and inclusivity is optimally balanced through an engagement framework for all policy networks in the road transport sector policy process;. At the same time, the political leadership should provide goodwill and commitment to policy networks in the road transport sector policy process within Nairobi City County while policy network managers demonstrate role by deploying a variety of roles and strategies with adaptability in response to the road transport sector policy process within Nairobi City County
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    Role of Local Stakeholders on Management of Water Supply in Murang’a County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Njagi, Charles Munene; Wilson Muna; Jane Njoroge
    The general objective of this study was to establish the role of local stakeholders in the management of water supply in Murang’a County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the role of data management on the management of water supply, to establish the role of decision making on the management of water supply, to establish the role of technical support on the management of water supply, to assess the role of resource mobilization on the management of water supply, to determine the mediating role of supporters on the management of water supply in Murang’a County, and to establish the moderating role of institutional and regulatory actors on the management of water supply in Murang’a County. Interpretivist research philosophy was used to establish the role of local stakeholders in the management of water supply in Murang’a County, Kenya. This research used a descriptive study design. The target populace comprised the local stakeholders or the beneficiaries (households), water supply and management organizations staff, national and county government officials from the Ministry of Water, and staff of non-state actors dealing with water in Murang’a County, a total population of 89,415. This study used a sample size of 225 respondents. This study utilized a self-administered research questionnaire to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. The researcher dropped the questionnaires physically at the respondents’ places and picked them up once filled up. In addition to the questionnaire, the study used 12 interview schedules to collect qualitative data. The research used Cronbach's alpha to measure internal consistency, where an alpha value of 0.7 ≤ α < 0.9. SPSS version 25 was used to aid in data analysis. The data was presented in tabular form as well as diagrams like pie charts and bar graphs for easy understanding and interpretation. The regression model was used to measure the relationship between the variables. The findings revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between data management and management of water supply (β =.300, p=0.000), there was a positive and significant relationship between decision making and management of water supply (β =.146, p=0.027), there was a positive and significant relationship between technical support and management of water supply (β =0.365, p=0.000) and that there was a positive and significant relationship between resource mobilization and management of water supply (β =0.277, p=0.000). In addition, the findings of the study revealed that institutions and regulatory actors had a moderating effect on the relationship between the role of local stakeholders and the management of water supply in Murang’a County. Further, the study tested the mediating effect of supporters on the management of water supply in Murang’a County, and the results revealed that supporters had a partial mediating effect on the management of water supply in Murang’a County. The study further tested hypotheses to assess the influence of each variable on the management of water supply. All the null hypotheses were rejected and alternative hypotheses adopted, indicating that all the study variables had effect on the management of water supply in Murang’a County. Based on the findings, the study concluded that all the study variables were significant in explaining the management of water supply in Murang’a County. It was hence recommended that the stakeholders in the management of water supply should strive to put in place initiatives which will enhance management of water supply in Murang’a County.
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    Strategic Leadership Practices and Devolved Administrative Structures in Selected Semi-Arid Counties in Kenya
    (kenyatta university, 2023-09) Jumanne, Andrew Shangarai,; Jane Gakenia Njoroge; Edna J. Moi
    The existence of devolved administrative structures is critical in protecting public officials from abusing power. It also promotes political stability. It is therefore essential to ensure that there is effective implementation and operation of these structures in Kenya now that devolution has been introduced. So far, the underlying cause of inadequate service delivery has been poor operationalization of structures in these devolved administrative entities that has been caused by ineffective managerial practices. This study has four specific objectives which intended to bridge the existing gap by establishing the scope of strategic leadership practices when it comes to the devolved administrative structures: establishing the effect of resource allocation practices, determining the effect of public accountability practices, establishing effect of stakeholder involvement, and to determine the moderating effect of legal factors on the relationship between the strategic leadership practices on devolved administrative structures. The study utilized three theories: The Resource Based View Theory, which anchored on resources allocation as a practice; Transformational Leadership Theory, which focuses on the development of advantageous alterations in an organization; and the Institutional Theory, which depicts an institution as networks that rely upon each other to build up unified systems that concern shared reliance. Target population of the study included the 500 participants from Taveta and Makueni counties. Purposive and Stratified Random Sampling techniques were utilized in this study, where a sample size ofi223 was drawn from the Target population. The design deployed in the study was descriptive research that had sought to produce answers to phenomenon’s questions of what, where, and when. The instrument’s reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of 0.7 that which was acceptably reliable. Quantitative and qualitative analytical methods were used, as data was coded in SPSS and analysed using the STATA. Analysis of quantitative data involved the descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas analysis of qualitative data was done using thematic analysis and voice recordings which were verbatim. Multiple Linear Regression was used to test the collective effects of resource allocation practices, public accountability practices and stakeholders’ involvement practices on the devolved administrative structures. This research established that strategic leadership practices can improve the functioning of decentralized administrative organizations and also provided a way to institutionalize the concepts, facilitating smooth and efficient flow of information. In the first objective, the significant effect of resource allocation practices on the devolved administrative structures was noted. In the second objective, it was established that a between public accountability practice and the devolved administrative structures a significant relationship existed. In third objective, it was found that, a significant relationship existed between stakeholders’ involvement practices and devolved administrative structures. In fourth objective, it was noted that there was a significant relationship between strategic leadership practices and legal factors on devolved administrative structures. Hence, the legal factors were found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between strategic leadership practices and the devolved administrative structures. The study suggests that leaders should explain plans in a way that encourages the improvement of devolved administrative structures, that which resulted to a lasting transformation. Further investigations should be conducted in other counties to better understand the role that ethical leadership plays in relation to strategic leadership practices and their impact on devolved administrative structures in Kenya as was envisioned.