Kenyans want counties budgetary allocation increased, says study

By Mark Kapchanga

NAIROBI, KENYA: More than 66 per cent of Kenyans want the current budgetary allocation increased for county development, a new study has said.

The findings by Jesuit Hakimani Centre, a research body, say the 15 per cent allocation to county governments is insufficient especially in areas that have been previously marginalised.

Respondents in the research that was carried for three months in 30 counties argue that there are many more projects that require additional funding that are supposed to be undertaken at the county level.

“On the other hand, there are those who argue that if well managed with proper structures and strong controls, the present allocation is enough to kick-start economic development,” said Elias Mokua, the director at the Centre.

In the order at which Governors should implement projects, 36 per cent of the respondents said a priority should be given to infrastructure while 32.5 per cent said that health and security should be ranked first.

Only 33.6 per cent wanted environment, land, water and agriculture issues to be ordered top of the list. Those who thought that education should take the top slot were 29.6 per cent while only 5.9 per cent said accountability should be prioritised before any development activity is started.

But the grim picture of devolution is painted by the revelation that county governments may not be well placed to fight corruption. According to the study, 60.3 per cent of people think that the devolved system of government will neither solve nor eradicate the menace.

“Majority of the respondents actually said that corruption will move to the counties. Only a paltry of them thinks that citizens will monitor activities at county levels and hence there will be a reduction in corruption,” said Jesuit Hakimani Programmes Co-ordinator, Zacharia Chiliswa.

Dr Mokua said there is a need to educate the public on devolution as many Kenyans seem not to understand how the new system operates.

The situation has been worsened by the people’s failure to understand how to access crucial government information.

“Of those who looked for government information, 36.2 per cent looked for information on resources such as budget and devolved funds while 12.2 per cent and 12.5 per cent were interested in identification documents,” said Dr Mokua.

Kajiado and Isiolo were listed as the counties with the highest percentage of 52.6 per cent and 50 per cent respectively where information on public funds is sought after. Mombasa had the lowest level at 5.6 per cent.

The findings, funded by Mensen met een Missie, said most of the respondents do not know of the open data government portal and as a result have not used it. Only 14 per cent have used the resourceful portal.

Mr Chiliswa said 45.2 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that open data portal provides helpful information while 22.2 per cent disagreed.

According to the World Bank, devolution will better place counties than the national government to deliver social services, because they have specific challenges and the local knowledge to address them.