| dc.description.abstract | Kenya's Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is one of the ingneous innovations of the National Rainbow Coalition Government of Kenya, started in 2005. Unlike other development funds that filter from Central Government through larger and more layers of administrative organs and bureaucracies. funds under this program go directly to local levels and thus provide people at the grassroots the opportunities to make expenditure decisions that maximize their welfare, consistent with the theoritical predictions of decetralization theory. Increasingly, however, concerns about effective implementation of projects is emerging.
Thereafore, the key purpose of the study was to highlight on project selection process, composition of the proejct committees, stakeholders involvement, the existing legal frameworks and governance of CDF supported projects. In addition, the research highlighted on some of the constituency characteristics that impact on the implementation efficiency and its efficacy. It also focused on the political economy aspects associated with this program. In particular it observed that CDF could have a negative outcomes because of fiscal illusion and reduced local fiscal efforts.
The literature review reveals that the CDF as most effective mode of decentralization if implemented effectively. CDF has also been acknowledged in conferences for contributing towards the safety nets to the society in response to unacceptable levels of vulnerability and poverty (Anampiu, J 2007). The CDF if well managed by project committees. the area MP and the CDF committee will drastically reduce the poverty levels. The efficiency will be reached with effecting the policies governing the CDF allocation and disbursement of funds. The involvement of the key players in the implementation of the CDF will ensure sustainable projects (Policy Forum 2008- Tanzania).
A descriptive survey research design was used to collect primary data in addition to the secondary data. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to target population where 28 respondents were reached. amongst them were community based organizations focusing in water(Water Users Associations). Education(School Management Committees), Health (Community Health Workers, HIV & AIDS - Support Groups) and others (Women and Men Lobby Groups). The sector heads were 3 in number, at the Division Level of Provincial administration were other key informants who were visited and interviewed. The questionnaires, interview questions and the focused group discussions held were consistent with the data expected. Thus data collected was analyzed both numerically and descriptively. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used, while on the other hand the descriptive analysis of the data collected was mainly put in a narrative form but not ommiting values where applicable.
The findings of the study indicated that although the projects were selected according to the community needs at 56%, there is need to improve on it by involving all the stakeholders and carrying out of baselines surveys. The same sentiments of projects disatisfaction are shown by 50% of respondents being unsatisfied due to incompleteness or not being utilized at all. The project committees faced challenges in leadership abilities, education levels were wanting at 70% of the respondent not attaining any higher education but had reached primary level, inadequate technical support: issues associated with CDF and administration i.e. project location, political interference and sitting of projects.
The findings of the study was designed to agree with other similar studies done previously. The paper recommends capacity building of the project committees and effective community mobilization to ensure better perfomance hence improved implementation of projects for sustainability. The CDF committee to be more proactive and develop a training manual for the community members as well as recruiting a monitoring officer. | en_US |
