Contributions of the Municipal Board to Delivery of Services in Eldoret Municipality

Abstract

Local governance plays a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of communities, and municipal Boards stand as key instruments in this regard. The role of a municipal Board in the delivery of services to the local community is crucial for the effective functioning of cities and towns. Access to efficient and quality services remains a key social and economic right of every citizen in Kenya under the bill of rights as per the CoK. Thus, the service organization such as municipal Boards must structure their service delivery systems to realize the desired impacts on the life of the citizens within their municipalities. This study sought to bridge this research gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of Municipal Boards on the delivery of services, considering various factors such as governance, resource allocation, and citizen satisfaction. The general objective of the study is to analyse the efficacy of delivery of services by Eldoret Municipal Board in the period 2017 – 2024 with specific objectives being, to describe the types of services delivered by Eldoret Municipal Board, to compile strategies for efficient service delivery by Municipal Board, to examine the extent of delivery of services by Eldoret Municipal Board and to propose methods for improving service delivery by Eldoret Municipal Board. The study is anchored on Institutional Theory, Scientific Management Theory and Division of Labour Theory. This study embraced a mixed research design that utilized descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study was the residents of Eldoret Municipality, 385 respondents and the 10 members of the municipal Board. The questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data. The Data collected was analysed using MS Excel and SPSS computer software, and results presented as charts, percentages and frequencies. The services provided by the Municipal Board were categorised as neither satisfying nor dissatisfying. Inadequate lighting, malfunctioning lights, and outdated infrastructure were the major issues that affected their safety, visibility at night, and the overall quality of life in their area. There is fair availability of educational resources in community. There are recreational facilities provided by the Eldoret Municipal Board which include parks, playgrounds, halls and cultural centres and sports fields. There is a good rate of effectiveness of economic development initiatives undertaken by the Eldoret Municipal Board. Challenges such as competing demands, limited funding, political interference, corruption, lack of transparency, lack of stakeholder engagement, and lack of monitoring mechanisms impact the efficiency of resource allocation. Partnerships with various stakeholders, including local businesses, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and community groups, could be beneficial for improving service delivery in Eldoret Municipality. Guaranteeing equitable access to Eldoret Municipal Board services remains challenging, with discrepancies depending on geographic location, socioeconomic position, and infrastructural development. The service delivery processes of the Municipal Board vary in terms of streamlining and efficiency across different areas and initiatives. While efforts have been made to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in service delivery, there are still areas for improvement. Services such as management programs, which ensure clean and hygienic environments; road maintenance and infrastructure development, enhancing transportation accessibility and safety; public health initiatives, promoting well-being and disease prevention; community development programs, fostering social cohesion and recreational opportunities; and social services, providing support and assistance to vulnerable populations. The Eldoret Municipal Board can adopt innovative methods to enhance service delivery, notably introducing digital platforms for service requests and tracking. The main areas of further study include the role of community participation in municipal Board governance and influence of political factors on municipal Board effectiveness.