LEGISLATION APPROVAL RATES AND DEVOLVED COUNTY GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY IN SELECTED COUNTIES IN KENYA
LEGISLATION APPROVAL RATES AND DEVOLVED COUNTY GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERY IN SELECTED COUNTIES IN KENYA
Dennis Omwamba Masenge - PhD Student, Department of Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr Wilson Muna - Senior Lecturer, Department of Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr Felix Kiruthu - Senior Lecturer, Department of Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Modern Parliamentary Systems of Government envisage administrative accountability to the legislative arm, which means general legislative control over the Government. Legislative control involves the detailed examination of government policies, which may cover both the formulation stage before a policy/law is adopted and policy/law evaluation after the policy gets implemented to ascertain its level of efficiency and acceptability by the public. The main objective of the research was to examine legislature approval rates and its effect on devolved governments service delivery in County governments in Kenya. The research's target population was 331 respondents, which included: County secretaries, executive committee members, County Assembly speakers, Chief officers, county assembly members, Opinion Leaders, Civil society delegations, and County political party leaders. The study sample size was 259 of the study population. The study employed Yamane's formula (1969) to determine the sample size. The theory of separation of powers and the structural-functionalist approach was used to inform the research. Data was presented using bar graphs, tables, chats, and histograms. Nine party officials, two county secretaries, and two county assembly speakers were interviewed for the study. Expert opinion was used to evaluate the validity of the study instrument, while Cronbach's Alpha was used to assess the study instrument's reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. Correlation and regression analysis was done to establish the relationship between the variables. Quantitative data was analysed using multi-linear regression approaches and Pearson correlation analysis. Stepwise regression was used to analyze the moderating variable. The study then presented quantitative data using tables and figures. Qualitative data was organized based on the themes of the study, analysed using content analysis, and then reported in continuous prose. The legislative approval rate accounted for 3.8% of county government service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties, While the remaining percentage catered for other exogenous factors. Besides, the results (sig. =0.034, r=0.194) indicate a weak but significant relationship between legislation approval rate and county service delivery in Kisii and Meru counties. Finally, the study recommended that county assembly leadership and the executive should ensure legislation fate is seamless to avoid unnecessary delays. The assembly and executive should maintain the principles of separation of powers. These concepts can be implemented by strengthening the legislative process, increasing its efficacy and efficiency, cutting down on bureaucratic red tape, and simplifying decision-making.
