Opportunities, Good Practices and Challenges of Implementing Devolution under the New Constitutional Order in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2016-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis looks into the system of devolution as a major component of the
constitution Kenya adopted in 2010. Aimed at examining opportunities
presented by devolution, good practices recorded so far and challenges that
hinder its implementation, it set out to consult stakeholders on the ways
forward. Qualitative research design was found to be best fitted to the work
and as such, purposive data collection and snowballing were utilized to
analyze data through narrative analysis. Citizens in Nairobi county, having
voted for the coming into effect of the constitution through a referendum, had
their own expectations of what devolution means for their communities and
country as a whole. As such, they have identified how devolution can benefit
their country given, it is implemented well. While they have witnessed good
practices ranging from improved health care services to improved
infrastructure; they have also been disappointed by outcomes of devolution in
many regards. Inadequate levels of public participation, corruption, tribalism,
poor and politicized governance, and lack of human/financial resource and
proper coordination between national and county governments have been
identified as the main challenges threatening the success of devolution. Some
of the recommended solutions include devolution of oversight bodies, capacity
building of county leadership and core county staff, depoliticizing of county
offices, and putting efficient and capable leaders in elective posts at the county
level. Suggestions towards improving public participation as well as
coordination between national and county governments have also been made
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Keywords
Challenges, Constitution, Decentralization, Devolution, Opportunities