The provincial administration and the democratization of development process in Kenya

Abstract

This study is an attempt to investigate the emergence of the new actors such as Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and (Peoples Organizations) POs in the development space and their impact on the developmental role of the Provincial Administration in Kenya. The following objectives were formulated: First, to investigate the nature of the relationship between the civil society (NGOs and POs) as new actors in the development process, and the Provincial Administration (PA). Second, to examine the current development tasks of the Provincial Administration. Thirdly, to examine the impact of the democratization of the development process on PA with specific reference to the development activities of a given locality, and fourth, to investigate the impact of the emergence of the new actors (NGOs and POs) in the development space on popular participation. This was done within the theoretical framework of development theories including statism and public or political choice. The study did not however lose sight of the fact that development still attracts both academic and policy debates that definitely have a bearing on the formulation of both development theory and/or policy in the light of the shifting world development thinking.