Legislature-Executive Relationship And Devolved Government Service Delivery In Selected Counties In Kenya
Loading...
Date
2025-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Since the advent of the devolved system of Kenya’s governance in 2013, County Governments have experienced a strained working relationship between the County Assemblies and County executive, which has been fostered by the failure of the two arms of County Governments cooperation toward creating a conducive and harmonious functional working relationship.This research aimed at examining executive-legislature relationship effect on the devolved Government’s service delivery in selected County Governments in Kenya. The objectives of this research entail exermining the effect of legislation approval rates affect service delivery,ascertaining how the executive policy/project implementation rates affect service delivery,establish the effect of partisan control and party dynamics on service delivery and to ascertain the moderating effect of accountability practices on the relationship between executive and County assembly’s service delivery in Kisii and Meru County governments in Kenya. The research's target population was 331 respondents, which included: County secretaries, executive committee members, County Assembly speakers, Chief officers, county assembly members, Opinion Leaders, Civil society delegations, and County political party leaders. The study sample size was 259 of the study population. The study employed Yamane's formula (1969) to determine the sample size. The theory of separation of powers and the structural-functionalist approach was used to inform the research. Data was presented using bar graphs, tables, chats, and histograms. Nine party officials, two county secretaries, and two county assembly speakers were interviewed for the study. Expert opinion was used to evaluate the validity of the study instrument, while Cronbach's Alpha was used to assess the study instrument's reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. Correlation and regression analysis was done to establish the relationship between the variables. Quantitative data was analysed using multi-linear regression approaches and Pearson correlation analysis. Stepwise regression was used to analyze the moderating variable. The study then presented quantitative data using tables and figures. Qualitative data was organized based on the themes of the study, analysed using content analysis, and then reported in continuous prose. The functional relationship between county assembly and executive accounted for 0.57% of the county government service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties while partisan polarization accounted for 0.05% of county government service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties. The policy implementation rate was 0.07% of county government service delivery in Kisii and Meru. The legislative approval rate accounted for 3.8% of county government service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties. Besides, the results (sig. =0.034, r=0.194) indicate a weak but significant relationship between legislation approval rate and county service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties. The findings (sig. =0.039, r=0.187) revealed a weak, positive, and significant relationship between policy implementation rate and County service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties. Likewise, the results (sig. =0.040, r =-0.168) indicated a weak, negative, and significant relationship between partisan control and County Government service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties. Finally, the study recommended that the two arms of government should strengthen their functional working relationship by holding regular consultative sessions, joint committees, and working groups with clear communication channels, as well as promoting bipartisan collaboration while keeping the principles of separation of power.
Description
A Thesis Submitted To The School Of Law, Arts And Social Sciences In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Award Of Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy In Public Policy And Management Of Kenyatta University.
Supervisors:
1.Wilson Muna
2.Felix Kiruthu