| dc.description.abstract | The thesis represents an attempt to address the issue as to how small
towns can and do plays significant and positive role in promoting rural
development and prosperity. A central feature in the study is that the
growth of small urban centres is a necessary condition and prerequisite
for rural transformation since the small urban town is perceived as a
catalyst for rural improvement. It is apparent from the study thesis that
governlments can do much to stimulate the development of small urban
centres which may have positive repercussions for their hinterlands
provided that they are willing to permit greater decentralisatlon and allow
,
devolution of power at the local levels. Further more careful selection of
investments in Infrastructure may provide conditions to further encourage
the attraction of small towns. The influence of governments can however
also have negative consequences for urban centres and rural development.
The local governments incapacitated by weak resource base may not
provide the physical infrastructure needed in order for these towns to
deliver. Consequently -instead of providing opportunities for investment,
employment and social opportunities they turn parasitic; sacking resources
from their rural hinterlands without reciprocating in the form of increased
linkages.
The small towns thus' form collection centres for the wider national
capitalist economy where the rural resources are channeled outwards to
the detriment of the, former. The capital SUI-plus ( financial savings) are
invested far off in bigger towns that .have basic infrastructure ( and
therefore investments Opportunities ), whereas the local centres meant to
offer- such opportunities either stagnate or even decay off. To some extent
this is true for the study area based on the field findings. Faced with a
myriad of constraints; physical, political and economic, Keroka town can't
deliver to the satisfaction of the local demand, thus investments are taken
to immediate centres like Kisii, Sotik and of late Nyamlra denying Keroka
the opportunity to develop irrespective of its locational advantages within
the two districts. This observation explains the wide gap between the
potential benefits and actual functions of small towns; which was one of the
initial reason for developing interest in the research topic.
Tile role and influence of small towns in stimulating socio-econmic activities
in their rural setting has however been demonstrated to be positive and
constructive throughout the thesis. With minimal investment in basic
infrastructure, small towns can greatly enhance the rural development
process thereby promoting Rural-Urban balance. The selection and hence
the elevation of designated small towns as set-vice centres, should not be
apolitical pawn but a scclo-econornlc criteria should be developed if they
have to be functionally beneficial to enhancing rural-urban balance and
hence to a nationally-integrated economy. The success of national policies
towards a sustainable economy will largely depend on how well small towns
are equipped to meet soclo- economic aspirations of their local population
and this calls for political commitment in ensuring efficient and equitable
distribution of the available scarce resources. | |
