A study of factors determining allocation of public funds in Kenya

Abstract

Allocation of public funds to various Regions/ Provinces of Kenya is very unequal since the colonial period in the Kenyan history. The colonial government allocated public funds to various regions in Kenya during colonial period unequally. After attainment of independence in 1963A.D., the independent Kenya Government continued with allocating public funds to various Regions (Provinces) unequally. This was and is contrary to the expectation of Kenyans who felt that the unequal allocation of public funds to various regions of the country should have ceased with the attainment of independence in 1963A.D. The basic purpose of this study was to examine factors determining allocation of public funds in Kenya by the Government. In addition, the study sought to determine which are suitable or unsuitable factors to be considered by the Government in allocating public funds to various Provinces (Regions) of Kenya. The survey involved 215 people from all the eight Provinces of Kenya. Multiple methods namely Simple Random Sampling, Stratified Random Sampling and Systematic Random Sampling were applied in identifying the respondents. Data pertinent to the study was gathered through the use of questionnaires developed by the researcher. Basically the research instrument sought to gather information ranging from political inclination of a Province, poverty level of a Province, natural resources available in the Province, commercial and administrative importance of a Province, population of a Province and G.D.P. Contribution of a province to the total national output.