The Role of Governance Strategies in Service Delivery in Nyeri Central Sub-County, Nyeri County; Kenya

David Alimasi Mwenebatu; Dennis N. Wamalwa

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i05.1819

Abstract

Background: Both governments at central and sub-national levels have increasingly pursued mechanisms to improve governance and service delivery to the citizenry. Since the onset of devolution, expectations for public service delivery have been high among the citizenry. Governance strategies are an important component of service delivery in the devolved system of governance.

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the role of governance in service delivery in county governments.

Setting: The study was conducted in Nyeri Central Sub-County

Methods: The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study shall employ a descriptive research design targeting a population of t140, 338 individuals’ persons living in the Nyeri Central sub-county. A sample of 178 participants was selected for this study. This study used systematic sampling technique was used. The validity and reliability findings were used to assess the adequacy of the study tool. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaire while an interview guide was the main qualitative research instrument. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS (v23). Qualitative data was summarized using a thematic analysis approach.

Results: The findings of this study are envisioned to inform policy for the evaluation of governance strategies to ensure the efficacy of service delivery in the county government.

Conclusion ad Contribution: The study concludes that while governance strategies have improved decision-making and planning, they have not significantly increased service efficiency.

Keywords

Interdisciplinary ApproachWebbed ModelBiotechnology

References

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[refR-1] Amah, E.I., 2018. Devolution of power to local government: Appraising local government autonomy under Nigerian federation. Beijing L. Rev., 9, p.275.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Bua, A. and Escobar, O., 2018. Participatory-deliberative processes and public policy agendas: lessons for policy and practice. Policy Design and Practice, 1(2), pp.126-140.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Bulut, E. and Abdow, B.I., 2018. Decentralization and poverty reduction: Opportunities and challenges in Kenya. Sosyoekonomi, 26(36), pp.179-196.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Burbidge, D., 2017. Security and devolution in Kenya: Struggles in applying constitutional provisions to local politics. Strathmore LJ, 3, p.131.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Dick-Sagoe, C., 2020. Decentralization for improving the provision of public services in developing countries: A critical review. Cogent Economics & Finance, 8(1), p.1804036.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Ferreira, C., 2023. Handbook on Decentralization, Devolution and the State: Ignacio Lago, Cheltenham (UK) and Northampton (USA), 2021,£ 185 (hardback), ISBN 9781839103278.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Galukande-Kiganda, M. and Mzini, L.B.T., 2019. Evaluation of participatory governance for enhancing the quality of local governments: Towards a new model. Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, 3(1), pp.103-124.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Gjaltema, J., Biesbroek, R. and Termeer, K., 2020. From government to governance… to meta-governance: a systematic literature review. Public Management Review, 22(12), pp.1760-1780.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Guha, J. and Chakrabarti, B., 2019. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through decentralization and the role of local governments: A systematic review. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (22), pp.1-21.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Ismail, M.A., 2018. A Study on Challenges of Devolution in Kenyan Public Service: A Case Study of Garissa County, Kenya. European Journal of Political Science Studies.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Jennings, V., Rigolon, A., Thompson, J., Murray, A., Henderson, A. and Gragg, R.S., 2024. The dynamic relationship between social cohesion and urban green space in diverse communities: Opportunities and challenges to public health. International journal of environmental research and public health, 21(6), p.800.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Jerab, D. and Mabrouk, T., 2023. Strategies for Effective Organizational Restructuring: A Comprehensive Guide. Available at SSRN 4584665.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Kembayev, Z., 2018. Development of Soviet federalism from Lenin to Gorbachev: Major characteristics and reasons for failure. review of central and east european law, 43(4), pp.411-456.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Kharel, A.B. and Acharya, A., 2023. Centralized and Decentralized Federal System: A Comparative Analysis of Governance Structures and Policy Implementation. Interdisciplinary Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 4(2), pp.1-17.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Kosec, K. and Wantchekon, L., 2020. Can information improve rural governance and service delivery? World Development, 125, p.104376.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Lynch, M.J., Fegadel, A. and Long, M.A., 2022. Green criminology and state-corporate crime: the ecocide-genocide nexus with examples from Nigeria. In The Genocide-Ecocide Nexus (pp. 81-101). Routledge.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Makara, S., 2018. Decentralization and good governance in Africa: A critical review. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 12(2), pp.22-32.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Maracha, V., 2016. Feedback mechanisms in public administration system: VSM application and institutional factors. Governing Business Systems. Theories and Challenges for Systems Thinking in Practice, p.25.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Muchekehu, N.D., 2018. Analyzing public participation in Kenya’s devolved units: A study of participatory planning in the formulation of County Integrated Development Plans (Doctoral dissertation).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Mudalige, P.W., 2019. The discussion of theory and practice on decentralization and service delivery. European Journal, 15(14), pp.115-135.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-21] Njagi, T., Kirimi, L., Onyango, K. and Kinyumu, E., 2018. The status of the agricultural sector after devolution to county governments.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-22] Nogueira, S.P.D.S. and Jorge, S.M.F., 2017. The perceived usefulness of financial information for decision making in Portuguese municipalities: The importance of internal control. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 18(1), pp.116-136.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-23] Nyandiko, N.O., 2020. Devolution and disaster risk reduction in Kenya: Progress, challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 51, p.101832.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-24] O’Brien, P., Pike, A. and Tomaney, J., 2004. Devolution, the governance of regional development and the Trade Union Congress in the North East region of England. Geoforum, 35(1), pp.59-68.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-25] Onyalo, P.O., 2021. The Decentralised Governance in Kenya: Implications on Citizen Participation in Local Governance. European Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 4(4), pp.22-39.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-26] Onyango, J.A., Cheluget, J., Akello, G.M. and Keraro, V., 2012. Factors to be considered in revenue allocation to devolved government in Kenya. Prime Journal of Business Administration and Management (BAM) I 1319-1328, 2(10), pp.704-708.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-27] Onyango, M., 2015. Operations strategy and service delivery by the county government of Kisumu (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-28] Opolot, H.N., Isubikalu, P., Obaa, B.B. and Ebanyat, P., 2018. Influence of university entrepreneurship training on farmers’ competencies for improved productivity and market access in Uganda. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 4(1), p.1469211.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-29] Pataraia, N., Jinchveladze, T. and Magalashvili, T., 2025. Examining Citizens’ Expectations and Perceptions About Service Quality in Public Sector: Adapting a Hybrid Public Service Quality Model to the Local Context. Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing, 37(1), pp.105-132.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-30] Sairmaly, F.A., 2023. Human capital development and economic growth: A literature review on information technology investment, education, skills, and productive labour. Jurnal Minfo Polgan, 12(1), pp.679-693.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-31] Waddington, H., Sonnenfeld, A., Finetti, J., Gaarder, M., John, D. and Stevenson, J., 2019. Citizen engagement in public services in low‐and middle‐income countries: A mixed‐methods systematic review of participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability (PITA) initiatives. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 15(1-2), p.e1025.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-32] Wallen, N.E. and Fraenkel, J.R., 2013. Educational research: A guide to the process. Routledge.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-33] Wanyande, P., 2021. The politics of implementation at county level: Realizing devolution in Kenya. Governing Kenya: Public Policy in Theory and Practice, pp.103-120.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-34] Weiss, T.G., 2000. Governance Good Governance & Global Governance: conceptual & actual challenges' Third World Quarterly 21 (5).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-35] Yamane, T., 1973. Statistics: An introductory analysis.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-36] Yang, F.H. and Chang, C.C., 2008. Emotional labour, job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst clinical nurses: A questionnaire survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 45(6), pp.879-887.Google Scholar ↗