Reforming Local Authorities for Better Service Delivery in Developing Countries

Reforming Local Authorities For Better Service Delivery In Developing Countries

Publisher	Institute of Policy Analysis and Research
Year of Publication	2010
Category	Papers and Articles Policies and Guidelines Report
County	All/General
Description	Different models of government and the roles and responsibilities of local government have emerged over time as different traditions have sought better ways of enhancing citizen-citizen and citizen-state interactions. Within their jurisdictions the Local Authorities in Kenya are charged with the responsibility for providing services such as health, primary education, refuse collection, water and sanitation, and fire protection services among others. However, over the years the service delivery capacity of local authorities has deteriorated to the extent that even the most basic services are not always provided. Central government is forced to fill in the gaps in service delivery when it comes to water and health services for instance. The reasons for the poor state of service delivery by the local authorities are many. Firstly, the existing facilities in most local authorities were not planned to cater for such a large number of people now residing in the municipal areas. The high population growth rates are mainly the result of the expansion in commerce and industrial development. Secondly, the local government capability to provide services is hindered by insufficient resource base, mismanagement, weak technical and institutional capacity to increase service coverage, and lack of planning.
Tags	Counties / General
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