INFLUENCE OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON SERVICE DELIVERY OF SELECTED DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF VIHIGA IN KENYA
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Abstract
The delivery of effective and efficient services to the populace is made possible by a devolved government that brings decision-making close to the people. The main goal of the study was to establish the influence of Transparency and Accountability on service delivery of selected devolved functions in County government of Vihiga in Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey research approach. There are 800 village administrators in the study population. 260 village elders in Vihiga County was sampled using both the stratified random sampling technique and the basic random sampling technique. To identify the flaws in the data collection instruments and design, a pilot test was carried out. The sample for the study was determined using Fishers' formula. The study made use of political, stewardship, and social contract theories. Each study variable had its reliability assessed using the Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Data for the study was gathered through interviews and questionnaires. Regression analysis was used to analyze the data that has been gathered. Other county governments, scholars of governance and ethics, the federal government, and other stakeholders including non-governmental organizations and civil society all benefitted from the study. The study concluded that transparency and accountability are fundamental factors influencing service delivery within the County Government of Vihiga, Kenya. Robust mechanisms ensuring transparency and accountability are essential for improving service delivery outcomes across various sectors. The findings underscored the need for the county government to prioritize initiatives aimed at fostering transparency and accountability. Therefore, the study recommended the implementation of comprehensive transparency and accountability measures, equitable resource distribution strategies, meaningful citizen participation mechanisms, and further financial decentralization efforts to enhance service delivery within the County Government of Vihiga, Kenya. These recommendations aimed to promote efficient governance, address community-specific needs, and foster sustainable development at the local level.
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