INFLUENCE OF VOTING IN ELECTIONS ON RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT, KENYA

Purpose- This study focused on establishing the influence of voting in elections on responsive governance in Kenya. Its main objective was to establish the influence of voting in elections on responsive governance in Kenya. Methodology- Descriptive research design and positivism research philosophy were adopted. The study focused on a target population of 680 respondents from Eighty-five wards within Nairobi County, and data was collected from the following groups of respondents; Civil society representative, religious representative, ward administration representative, youth representative, women representative, the special interest group representative, a representative of the citizens’ anticipating county services and a representative of the old aged residents were targeted. A sample size of 139 respondents was determined though purposive sampling technique. Primary data was collected through questionnaires and secondary data through published materials. Data was analysed through SPSS and presented in tables. Hypothesis testing was done through the use of t-test. F test (ANOVA) was also conducted to ascertain the difference between groups on study variable. Findings- The study found that voting in elections has a positive and significant relationship with responsive governance. The study concluded that that citizen’s education influences their ability and decision to vote in leaders who are effective in service delivery. The study also concluded that incumbent leader performance influences achievement of county goals. Based on the study findings, the researcher recommends that there is need to establish, County, Sub-County and Ward Citizens Forums to enhance voter awareness of residents in local governance. The forums will specifically enable citizens to engage directly in the planning, policy making and monitoring of service delivery accorded to them. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need in understanding how voting in elections can influence responsive governance. The study therefore recommends that all citizens should be empowered and given the rights to vote in their desired leader. Additionally, free and fair elections should be conducted to ensure that candidates with clear manifestos are elected.

EFFECTS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON SUSTAINABILITY OF CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND SPORTS PROJECTS IN MWINGI WEST CONSTITUENCY, KITUI COUNTY

Purpose: Mwingi West Constituency has been a beneficiary of this fund, particularly in the financing of sports projects which have also stalled hence the need to establish the factors contributing to the condition. This study investigated the effects of public participation on the sustainability of the CDF sports projects in Mwingi West Constituency. Methodology: The study used descriptive research design and was conducted in Mwingi West Constituency where 101 respondents were sampled from a target population of 329 beneficiaries of CDF financed initiatives in the Constituency. Simple random sampling was utilized to get the required sample size which comprised of CDF project coordinators and managers. A questionnaire was designed, piloted, tested for reliability and validity and utilised to gather the required information. Statistical Package for Social Scientists (Version 22) was used in the data analysis process and the results were presented in tables and graphs. Findings: The data analysis indicated that Public participation was a very key factor in implementing sustainable CDF projects. It explained 73.1% (R square = 0.731) of the elements that affect sustainability of CDF funded sports projects in the area of study. Unique contributions to theory, practice and policy: Public participation should be adhered to at all CDF sports project implementation processes. The government should provide adequate funds to the sports projects to fully achieve the intended goals. The researcher recommends that other similar studies should be carried out on other projects apart from sports to widen the scope of the effects of corporate governance on sustainable CDF projects. The findings of this study continue to demonstrate validity of the arguments of agency theory. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that this theory may be used in future in similar studies as it provides some basic foundation of studying public participation and sustainability of public projects.

HAVE PUBLIC DEBT LEVELS RESTRICTED ANTI-CORONAVIRUS FISCAL RESPONSES? EVIDENCE FROM EUROPE

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the impact of public debt stock in 12 European countries on the size of primary[1] anti-coronavirus fiscal responses, and to explore the general characteristics of these packages in sample countries. Methodology: The sample included only countries from the European Union due to homogeneity in economic standards and legal framework beside the availability of data. However, graphical representation along with regression anlaysis were performed, our key findings indicate a significant negative impact of public debt on the size of primary anti-coronavirus fiscal response and expect a second wave of government borrowing in the near term. Findings: However, this study sheded the light on public debt confirming the importance of maintaining reasonable levels, as a policy recommendation; governments in the European Union are advised to conduct more efforts to reduce public debt stocks and to adopt new effective public financial management rules to overcome the high debt dilemma, since countries with low debt stocks have initiated the largest packages among the sample. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that employing data from different geographical areas and occasions to gather more evidence on this topic. Moreover, stimulus packages may be in effect for further periods. Therefore, a series of observations might be accumulated and utilized in panel data analysis to form a cogent evidence on this topic by future research efforts. [1] Primary fiscal responses are the first fiscal packages announced between the period between March-May 2020.

Assessment on the Use of Monitoring and Evaluation System in Constituency Development Fund, Nairobi County

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the use of monitoring and evaluation system for Constituency Development Fund, Nairobi CountyMethodology: The study used a descriptive survey research design. The unit of analysis was the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Nairobi County. The target population comprised of 187 committee members of the 17 constituencies. The sample size for this study was55 obtained using simple random sampling. The researcher used a questionnaire to obtain primary data. The questionnaires were self-administered. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in percentages and frequencies. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis and presented in prose form. Both quantitative and qualitative data was compiled to generate the final project report.Results: Study findings indicated that there exists a functional monitoring and evaluation systems in the Constituency Development Fund in the County of Nairobi. Similarly, the study indicated that monitoring and evaluation influenced decision making in the Constituency Development Fund in the County of Nairobi. The study also indicated that there exist challenges affecting the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation system for Constituency Development Fund in the County of Nairobi.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that funds work plan and costs should be set aside to enhance monitoring and evaluation activities in the Constituency Development Fund in the County of Nairobi. The study recommended that further research need to be conducted on the same topic but in another County so as to give comparisons to the current study. Similarly, a study can be undertaken to assess the existence of monitoring and evaluation activities in the Youth Development Fund, County Government projects, National Government projects and Self-help groups around the country.