Governance and foreign assistance in Africa: a case study of Kenya

Abstract

This study examines the effect of governance on foreign aid to the health sector in Kenya. It focuses mainly on corruption as a key variable of governance by analyzing literature on governance, foreign aid, development and corruption as well as looking at the trend of donor funding in the past eight years to the health sector in Kenya. The study finds that whilst generally there has been a decline funding for health in the world, funding in the Kenyan health sector seems to be on a decline also. Many donors have moved from funding the government directly, to channeling their funds through NGOs instead, due to corruption. The study proposes the need for more research on the effectiveness of funding through NGOs in improving governance in the health sector and promoting health given the fact most health indicators are on a decline, despite the billions of funds injected into various health programs in the county.