DEVOLUTION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF GITHUNGURI CONSTITUENCY IN KIAMBU COUNTY BY CATHERINE NJUGUNA UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI MASTERS IN SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK C50/72516/2012 A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY (RURAL SOCIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT), UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI NOVEMBER, 2016 DECLARATION This research project is my original work. It has not been submitted to any other institution of learning for whatever purpose. CATHERINE NJUGUNA REG NO: C50/72516/2012 Signed ……………………………………… Date …………………….. This research project has been submitted for examination with my approval as the University Supervisor. PROF. MBURUGU Department of Sociology and Social Work Signed ……………………………………… Date …………………….. ii DEDICATION I dedicate this project to my lovely family far and wide and to future generations who should live a more fulfilling life enjoying the fruits of the hard labor, blood and sweat of our forefathers. iii ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS The successful completion of this research project could not have been without the contribution of the following that I wish to acknowledge my supervisor, Prof. Mburugu for his guidance and development of this research project report. In a very special way, through the help of Fr Fratern Masawe SJ, I wish to thank Fr Klaus SJ, the Jesuit Community in Germany and Switzerland and my team at IMCS and IYCS Africa Coordination for the immense support and accompaniment. My dear family for journeying with me over the years and my dear friends. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS ......................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. v LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... x OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................... xii ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Objectives of the Study ........................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.1 Main Objective ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.4.2 Specific objectives ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.5 Justification of the Study ....................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study ...................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.2 The concept of devolution ..................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Devolution in Kenya ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.4 Empirical Literature .............................................................................................................. 6 2.4.1 Community Participation in the Projects Funded by the Devolved Funds .................................. 7 2.4.2 Factors Affecting the Implementation of Devolution .................................................................. 8 2.4.3 Role of Devolution in Community Development ........................................................................ 9 2.4.3.2 Decentralization of Funds ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.4.4 Effect of Devolution on Social Economic Welfare .................................................................... 11 2.5 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 12 v 2.5.1 Theory of Balanced Growth ....................................................................................................... 12 2.5.2 Theory of Unbalanced Growth .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.6 Conceptual framework ........................................................................................................ 13 2.7 Operationalization ............................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2 Site Description .................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3 Research Design ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4 Unit of Analysis and Unit of Observation ............................ Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4.1 Unit of Analysis ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.4.1 Units Observation ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.5 Target Population ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.6 Sample Size and Sampling Technique ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.7 Data Collection Methods ..................................................................................................... 19 3.7.1 Data Collection Instruments ....................................................................................................... 19 3.7.2 Data collection procedures ............................................................................................... 19 3.8 Pilot Test ............................................................................................................................. 20 3.8.1 Research Instruments Validity ................................................................................................... 20 3.8.2 Research Instruments Reliability ............................................................................................... 21 3.9 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION ......................... 22 4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 22 4.2 General Information ............................................................................................................ 22 4.2.1 Respondents' Location ............................................................................................................... 22 4.2.2 Gender of the Respondents ........................................................................................................ 23 4.2.3 Respondents' age bracket ........................................................................................................... 24 4.2.4 Highest Level of Education ........................................................................................................ 25 4.3 The Influence of Devolved Funds on Community Development ....................................... 25 4.3.1 Existing Funding Projects .......................................................................................................... 25 vi 4.3.2 Knowledge on Social and Economic Development Projects ..................................................... 26 4.3.3 Demographic Information and Knowledge on Social and economic Development Projects .... 27 4.3.4 Benefits from the Projects .......................................................................................................... 30 4.3.5 Demographic Information and Benefits of the Projects ............................................................. 31 4.3.6 Demographic Information