Devolution of Health Sector and Service Delivery in Garisa County, Kenya
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Date
2025-10
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The study evaluated the effect of healthcare devolution on service provision in Garissa
County, Kenya. The research placed a specific emphasis on addressing the existing
research gaps in healthcare and service delivery. The specific objectives of the study
were: to establish the effects of information sharing; assess the effects of financial
allocation; to evaluate the effects of staff capacity and; to examine the effects of ICT
infrastructure on service delivery in Garissa County. The study was grounded in
theoretical frameworks that included the Resource Dependency Theory and the Social
Capital Theory. The conceptual framework illustrated the relationship between
independent and dependent variables. The study population included 120 healthcare
providers in Garissa County. The study utilized a mixed methods research design with
qualitative and quantitative methods being applied. Given the small size of the study
population, census method was employed where all the 120 were included as the sample
of the study. This included 100 facility-based community health promoters, 7 hospital
managers, 7 hospital administrators, 1 Chief Executive Officer of Health, 1 Garissa
County assembly chair of health, 1 Chief Officer Public Health, 1 Chief Officer Medical
Services, 1 Director Public Health and 1 Director Medical Services in Garissa County.
Semi- structured questionnaires were used in the research to gather both quantitative and
qualitative data. Validity and reliability assessments were done to ensure the accuracy of
collected data. Descriptive statistics were employed in the analysis of the data collected.
To ensure adherence to the ethical considerations, the study placed a high priority on
participant anonymity and informed consent. The study established that information
sharing processes are fairly established, financial allocation to the health sector is
reasonably done, staff capacity is fairly established and that ICT infrastructure is
reasonably established within the health sector. The study concluded that devolution of
health services impacts delivery of service within the health sector in Garissa County.
Robust information sharing procedures, adequate financial allocation, enhancing of staff
capacity and a strong ICT infrastructure have a positive impact on service delivery. To
further enhance service delivery in the health sector, the study recommends strengthening
of information sharing systems, enhanced financial allocation, addressing of existing
gaps in staff capacity and improving of ICT infrastructure. Further, there is need for
Garissa County government put in place a comprehensive policy to guide all the
healthcare processes including information sharing, staff capacity building, utilization of
funds.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of a Degree for Master of
Arts in Public Policy and Administration of Kenyatta University. October ,2025
supervisor
Wilson Muna