| dc.description.abstract | In Kenya, the challenge of ensuring efficient governance and service delivery at the county
level is critical for meeting the diverse social needs of local populations. This study focuses
on evaluating the effectiveness of the county governance system in providing essential
services, with a specific focus on Kajiado North Sub-County. The main objective of this
research is to assess the effectiveness of the county governance system in delivering social
services in Kajiado North Sub-County. Specifically, the study aims to achieve three key
objectives: Firstly, to determine the level of public knowledge about social service provision
in Kajiado North Sub-County. Secondly, to assess the effectiveness of county governance
policies in facilitating social service provision. And thirdly, to identify the primary challenges
faced in the delivery of social services within Kajiado North Sub-County. Utilizing a
descriptive research design, data collection targeted households, county officials, members of
county assembly, provincial administrators and community stakeholders in Kajiado North
Sub-County. A sample of 143 respondents was selected using a multistage sampling
technique, focusing on two key wards out of the five—Oloolua and Olkeri Wards.
Questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions served as primary data
collection methods, analyzed through statistical and thematic approaches. In regard to
findings, under the objective to determine the level of public knowledge about social service
provision, the demographic analysis revealed a balanced gender distribution within the
sample, predominantly aged between 30 to 49 years, with a majority holding
certificate/diploma level education. The findings unveiled widespread skepticism concerning
decision-making transparency and information sharing adequacy, with 86.5% of respondents
disagreeing that decision-making was open to scrutiny and 79.4% feeling information sharing
was inadequate. However, it was noted that 66% of respondents agreed that providers
effectively managed service risks. Similarly, regarding the evaluation of the effectiveness of
county governance policies, it was found that while a significant portion of respondents
deemed county governance policies adequate, concerns persisted regarding compliance
challenges and perceived biases. Notably, 79.4% of respondents found the policies to be
adequate, yet 64.5% agreed that entities evade compliance, and 67.4% perceived bias within
the governance framework. Likewise, in identifying the key challenges faced in delivering
social services within Kajiado North Sub-County, the study highlighted corruption among
service providers, punitive policies dampening community participation, and inadequate
funding constraining operational effectiveness as principal challenges. Qualitative insights
underscored policy successes in infrastructure, healthcare, and education, advocating for
balanced compliance costs and streamlined business practices. In conclusion, while
confidence in county policies was evident, substantial gaps persist in transparency, public
engagement, and policy implementation. Addressing key challenges such as corruption and
financial constraints necessitates strategic recommendations, including awareness campaigns,
policy reviews, and fostering public-private partnerships. Lastly, there were a few
comprehensive recommendations that were proposed notably public awareness initiatives,
periodic policy reviews, compliance monitoring mechanisms, and the establishment of
inclusive advisory councils to guide decision-making in alignment with local needs.
Implementing these evidence-based recommendations can foster transparency, stakeholder
trust, and resilient governance frameworks for effective social service provision in Kajiado
County. | en_US |
