| dc.description.abstract | In this research project, the researcher investigated factors influencing implementation of physical development plans among Local Authorities in Kenya, with special emphasis on Local Government bodies in Nyanza Province. The study aimed at investigating the major factors that hinder successful implementation of Physical Development Plans among Local Authorities in Nyanza. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing the implementation of physical development plans among Local Authorities in Kenya, with a focus on Nyanza province.
This research project was designed to meet five main objectives: To investigate the extent to which the characteristics of the planning agency influence implementation of Physical Development Plans; Establish how politics influences implementation Physical Development Plans; Investigate the extent to which legal factors influence implementation Physical Development Plans; Determine how economic factors influence implementation of Physical Development Plans and lastly; Explore strategies that will help ensure successful implementation of Physical Development Plans among the Local Authorities in Nyanza Province. The literature reviewed was what other researchers have done and it focused on the five objectives stated above.
The theoretical framework focused on the implementation theory. The conceptual framework given depicted the relationship between the variables under study. The study employed the use of descriptive survey design which allowed collection of both qualitative and quantitative data for generalization purposes. The target population was 33 Local Authorities with a total of 199 respondents. The instrument used to collect data was the questionnaire. Pilot testing was done in the neighbouring Western Province. Analysis of the data was done using MS Excel the Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS). After analysis, presentation, interpretation and discussion of the findings was done.
Amongst the key findings from the study was the fact that, most councilors lack important policy formulation and plan implementation skills owing to their level of education, as most had only attained secondary education; Secondly, there was no clarity among the LAs on the activities that should be undertaken routinely in order that physical development plans get implemented. In addition, weak financial positions of the LAs was identified as the major economic challenge in implementation of physical development plans.
Another outstanding finding was that conflicting legislations and weak institutional inter-linkages are some of the legal factors influencing plan implementation. Strategies to enhance successful plan implementation included capacity building, adequate financing, rationalization of institutional arrangement, streamlining legislative frameworks, among others. One of the conclusions of the study was that characteristics of the planning agencies influence implementation of physical development plan. On education levels, majority of the councilors had secondary education as the highest.
The study gave recommendations; among them was employment of more plan implementation staff. Secondly, it was recommended that there should be adequate budgetary allocation to facilitate plan implementation. In addition, politics should be checked so that the negative influence can be made positive, for instance through mobilization of public support in the plan implementation process. The study contributed to the body of knowledge in a number of ways, for instance by establishing that there was no common agreement on the most appropriate legal document to enhance plan implementation. Lastly, the study recommended that further research may be carried out employing a similar approach to investigate the factors influencing implementation of physical development plans among local authorities in another province. | en_US |
