A Study of the Challenges Facing the Devolved Governments in Kenya (The Case of Kiambu County Government)

The purpose of the study was to examine the commitment by the county government in dealing with the challenges facing the implementation of devolved government in Kiambu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to establish the political interference challenges facing the implementation of devolved governments, examine the Administrative challenges, establish how polices and legislation challenges and mismanagement of finances affect the implementation of devolved government in Kiambu County. It further looked into related literature in chapter two and conclusively used descriptive survey research design to investigate the commitment by county government in dealing with these challenges in chapter three. The information collected through simple random sampling was analyzed through various techniques used in descriptive data analysis. The targeted area of study was Kiambu County because it was negatively hitting the headline news immediately after promulgation of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. A population of 2000 members of the community residing in Kiambu grouped into County Administrators, MCAs and selected members of public such as women groups, youth groups and business people were considered in the study. A sample of 51 members of the groups was used. In conducting this research, the information was collected using questionnaires, interview guide and document analysis. The independent variables included political interference challenges, County Administrative challenges, policies and legislation challenges and mismanagement of finances. The study was guided by Agency and Stewardship Theories. The findings it is hoped would be used to improve the governance methods of Kiambu County and other counties in Kenya. The study found out that politicians were not in support of devolved governance in Kiambu County and that Party affiliations affected decisions being passed by the county assembly. The study further concludes that mismanagement of finances affected implementation of devolved government in Kiambu County. Further demand for huge salaries and allowances by MCAs and public servants, Unhealthy rivalry and poor attitude amongst county leaders, resistance to change and Shortage of qualified human resources were the County Administrative Challenges. The study made the following recommendations: that proper management practices should be effected, politicians should forge unity so as to work together, the government should be more aggressive in the fight against corruption, and finally regulation and legislation should be strengthened to guide on the functions of devolved governments.