Search Result

Srl

Item

ID: 145176

Devolution and corruption in Kenya: everyone's turn to eat? / D'Arcy, Michelle; Cornell, Agnes

D'arcy, Michelle	Article
	0 Rating(s) & 0 Review(s)

Summary/Abstract

How does decentralization affect patronage and rent seeking? While centralization is seen as enabling these practices, many expect decentralization to reduce them. With few examples of meaningful reform it is difficult to establish if this is the case in the context of African states. We look at the impact of decentralization on rent seeking and patronage in Kenya, where the devolution of significant powers to county governments has recently taken place. We suggest that devolution has not removed these practices but rather brought them down to the local level in response to popular expectations that it is “everyone's turn to eat”. The realization of this expectation for a broad constituency of ethnic groups and elites has facilitated – so far – the embedding of these reforms. Our findings thus suggest that the implementation of meaningful decentralization has been achieved via the decentralization of patronage networks, meaning that the “our turn to eat” character of ethnic patronage politics persists. As a result, although a greater number of groups now have their turn, ethnic minorities within some counties feel marginalized, including certain trapped minorities from politically relevant groups.

Key Words

Kenya ; Corruption ; Devolution

Links

'Full Text'

In Basket

Export

ID: 120920

Non-state actors and universal services in Tanzania and Lesotho: state-building by Alliance / D'arcy, Michelle

D'arcy, Michelle	Journal Article
	0 Rating(s) & 0 Review(s)

Publication

2013.

Summary/Abstract

In recent years over half of all African states have re-introduced some form of universal basic service provision, though many more have done so in education when compared with health. Most existing explanations of these developments have emphasised the importance of demand side factors associated with democratisation. This paper argues that while democratisation has been important in generating pressure for reform, alliances with actors outside the state - such as donors and non-state service providers - have been the critical enabling factor allowing weak states to overcome their capacity constraints and respond. Two illustrative case studies are used to show how variation in alliance opportunities has led to differences in outcomes both between social sectors and across countries. An inter-sector comparison of health and education policy in Tanzania shows how a difference in donor policy preferences between sectors - donors having converged behind the principle of universal primary education but not universal healthcare - has led to variation in alliance opportunities and hence policy outcomes. A 'least likely' case of healthcare reform in Lesotho shows how an alliance with a non-state provider has made difficult reforms possible.

Key Words

Democratisation ; Social Sector ; African States ; Non State Actor ; Health and Education Policy

In Basket

Export