| dc.description.abstract | This study is an attempt to impress upon local
authorities the need for a well-equipped local
government machinery - politically, administratively,
technically and financially - in order to bring about
the appropriate infrastructural facilities and
services.
As a town continues to grow in popUlation,
enormous pressure is put on available services and
facilities, raising countless problems of local
'government. Accelerated' growth also makes existing
administrative structures inadequate as they become
unequal to their functions. At the same time, the
citizensI main interest is satisfaction: they only
want a local government system that delivers goods.
Faced with this demand, any local authority must
decide realistically how and where to begin in
carry out its responsibility.
The aim of this study is to identify the role of
the local,. authority in the project realisation process
and to identify the major problems facing the
authority in the execution of this role. It is
apparent from many complaints by town dwellers that
local authorities have been unable to fulfil their
duty of delivering facilities and services. Many
promised projects for the benefit of the citizens are
yet to be realised. In the meantime, the town
dwellers continue to pay their dues and be without
them. Provision of facilities and services in the
urban area is one of the strategies of creating
economic and social opportunities which contribute to
the improvement of the quality of life of the people.
Much may be said about projects that should have
been realised but which have in fact not been
realised. Lack of trained manpower, adequate finance,
and political experience, as well as outmoded
jurisdictions, too few powers and insufficient
internal organizations too often prevent local
authorities from fulfilling the greater'part of their
potential in urban development. And to the would-be
beneficiaries, the local authority is compared to a
'black-box' about which little is known but out of
which something that is supposed to materialize does
not. Local authorities lack transparency and
accountability.
To adequately meet infrastructural and service
needs, the authority must establish feasible
(realistic) targets, deadlines and coordinate
mechanisms. The immediate job is to overtake the
backlog in essential infrastructure and services and
later, through stress, sacrifice and involvement of
beneficiaries, keep abreast of these requirements to
the extent that it is possible to do so.
The study has two parts, the first comprising the
introductory chapters generally covering the
introductory formalities which comprise the study
objectives, research methodology and review of related
literature. In this part processes of project
identification, project planning and implementation
and their imminent shortcomings are reviewed.
The second part consists of Chapter Three which
examines the Kenyan Local Government system, its
organization and processes.
In Chapter Four the data collected from the field
survey of the Kerugoya/Kutus Municipal Council and
sixteen local authority projects is analyzed. Finally
the Fifth Chapter deals with the summary, conclusions
and recommendations. Recommendations given aim to
improve the effectiveness of local authorities in
discharging their responsibility of project
realisation, in the light of the problems identified | en |
