CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND AS AN INSTRUMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
This study sought to assess the dynamics of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a tool of rural development in Ikolomani Constituency, Kakamega County. Alexis de Tocqueville’s “Decentralization Theory,” whose main tenet is the linkage between decentralization, democracy, and citizen participation, guided this study. A cross-sectional research design was used and mixed methods research, whereby, both qualitative and quantitative research techniques and approaches were used to gather data for the study. The research study sample was determined using Andrew Fisher's Sample Size Determination Formula resulting in a sample size of 384 respondents. The instruments for data collection included a survey questionnaire, which was used to get quantitative data and focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) which were used to gather qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, percentages, and frequency distributions. The qualitative data was analysed mathematically. The study obtained ethical approval from the KUERC and informed consent was obtained before data collection. The study established that a very majority (84.4%) indicated that they were cognisant of the existence of the CDF fund. It was also found that more than half (53.6%) of the respondents learned about the fund through chief barazas. Regarding the utilization of the fund, it was established that nearly three-quarters (72%) of the respondents perceived that Ikolomani Constituency CDF is well utilized. Lastly, most of the respondents strongly agreed that low community participation (42.5%), embezzlement of CDF (42.5%) and high levels of corruption and poor leadership (48%) were the main challenges facing the constituency development fund in Ikolomani Constituency. The study concluded that it is paramount for policymakers and practitioners, including leaders to put in place effective strategies that will see strict adherence to the set modalities of CDFs implementation, and management that would propel the realization of sustainable rural development.
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