Project realisation in small towns: a case study of Kerugoya and Kutus towns, Kirinyaga district

Abstract

This study is an attempt to impress upon local authorities the need for a well-equipped local government machinery - politically, administratively, technically and financially - in order to bring about the appropriate infrastructural facilities and services. As a town continues to grow in popUlation, enormous pressure is put on available services and facilities, raising countless problems of local 'government. Accelerated' growth also makes existing administrative structures inadequate as they become unequal to their functions. At the same time, the citizensI main interest is satisfaction: they only want a local government system that delivers goods. Faced with this demand, any local authority must decide realistically how and where to begin in carry out its responsibility. The aim of this study is to identify the role of the local,. authority in the project realisation process and to identify the major problems facing the authority in the execution of this role. It is apparent from many complaints by town dwellers that local authorities have been unable to fulfil their duty of delivering facilities and services. Many promised projects for the benefit of the citizens are yet to be realised. In the meantime, the town dwellers continue to pay their dues and be without them. Provision of facilities and services in the urban area is one of the strategies of creating economic and social opportunities which contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people. Much may be said about projects that should have been realised but which have in fact not been realised. Lack of trained manpower, adequate finance, and political experience, as well as outmoded jurisdictions, too few powers and insufficient internal organizations too often prevent local authorities from fulfilling the greater'part of their potential in urban development. And to the would-be beneficiaries, the local authority is compared to a 'black-box' about which little is known but out of which something that is supposed to materialize does not. Local authorities lack transparency and accountability. To adequately meet infrastructural and service needs, the authority must establish feasible (realistic) targets, deadlines and coordinate mechanisms. The immediate job is to overtake the backlog in essential infrastructure and services and later, through stress, sacrifice and involvement of beneficiaries, keep abreast of these requirements to the extent that it is possible to do so. The study has two parts, the first comprising the introductory chapters generally covering the introductory formalities which comprise the study objectives, research methodology and review of related literature. In this part processes of project identification, project planning and implementation and their imminent shortcomings are reviewed. The second part consists of Chapter Three which examines the Kenyan Local Government system, its organization and processes. In Chapter Four the data collected from the field survey of the Kerugoya/Kutus Municipal Council and sixteen local authority projects is analyzed. Finally the Fifth Chapter deals with the summary, conclusions and recommendations. Recommendations given aim to improve the effectiveness of local authorities in discharging their responsibility of project realisation, in the light of the problems identified