EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT TRANSITIONS ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA: A CASE OF NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Abstract

In the year 2010, Kenya promulgated a new constitution that adopted decentralized system of government from national level to counties. It involved the transfer of power and funding from national to local governments so as to ensure that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect. Some of the Counties, like Nairobi City County, have had about five changes in their leadership and hence it is important to understand how government transitions affect service delivery in Nairobi City County Government. This research study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 162 staff working in 10 departments in Nairobi City County Government offices. The study used 50 percent of the population as the sample and hence the sample size was 81 respondents. The study adopted a stratified random sampling method in the selection of the sample size. The study made use of primary data, which was collected by use of structured questionnaires. Quantitative data was generated from the research instrument. Analysis of quantitative data was done by use both inferential statistics and descriptive statistics with the help of a statistical software known as statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 24). Descriptive statistics encompass frequency distributions, percentages, standard deviation and means. Inferential statistics included multivariate regression analysis and correlation analysis. The results of data analysis were presented by use of figures and tables. The study found that change of leadership has a positive and significant effect on service delivery in Nairobi City County Government. In addition, the study established that transparency of the transition process has a positive and significant effect on service delivery in Nairobi City County Government. Further, the study found that strategic operational resilience has a positive and significant effect on service delivery in Nairobi City County Government. The study recommends that the county governments? leaders should recruit knowledgeable and skilled Chief Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and Chief Officers (COs). They should also conduct an audit to assess the training needs of various employees in order to provide them with relevant training that will help enhance service delivery by the County government. In addition, the assumption of the Office of Governor Committee should ensure a smooth transition process by providing the governor-elect with a comprehensive transition report outlining list of public of assets, list of liabilities as well as a list of bank accounts that the County government has in different banks. Also, the County governments should conduct an audit of all pending bills and incomplete projects to ensure that the public fund is not used to pay bills that no longer exist and projects that have not been completed. Moreover, the new leadership of County governments should come up with a proper strategy to manage county staff contracts to ensure there are no ghost workers and ensure that their remuneration is up to date.