Thesis:

Analyzing the influence of devolved functions on the socio-economic development in Narok county, Kenya.

Devolution was introduced in Kenya to promote equitable development and improve governance at the local level. However, its effectiveness in enhancing socioeconomic development remained uncertain, particularly in counties such as Narok, where disparities in income, employment, and service delivery persisted. This study examined the extent to which devolution influenced key socio-economic indicators, including income levels, employment rates, and access to public services. Additionally, it sought to identify challenges that hindered its effectiveness in Narok County. The study was guided by four main objectives: To analyze the influence of fiscal decentralization on socio-economic development in Narok County. To evaluate the effect of governance and accountability on socio-economic progress in Narok County. To assess the effect of public participation on the success of devolution in Narok County. To investigate the influence of service delivery on economic growth in Narok County. The research was anchored on two key theories. The Fiscal Decentralization Theory posits that decentralizing financial resources enhances local economic development, while the public choice theory emphasizes the role of citizen involvement in policymaking as a means of ensuring effective governance. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample population comprised 200 respondents sampled from local government officials, community leaders, students and residents, selected through stratified random sampling to ensure broad representation. Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaires. The research utilized both primary and secondary data. Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaire. Prior to full implementation, the data collection instruments were pretested for validity and reliability to ensure accuracy and consistency. The analysis of the collected data was carried out using descriptive statistics to summarize key trends and correlation and regression analyses to establish relationships between devolution and socioeconomic variables. Additionally, qualitative data was analyzed thematically to capture important insights from stakeholders. The findings revealed that devolution had a moderate impact on socioeconomic development in Narok County. Fiscal decentralization contributed positively to infrastructure and service delivery; however, its effectiveness was hampered by inefficiencies in financial management and allocation. Governance and accountability were found to play a significant role in local development, yet challenges such as corruption, political interference, and weak oversight structures remained prevalent. The study also found that public participation in governance was limited, thus diminishing the effectiveness of devolved decisionmaking processes. While employment rates increased in certain sectors, income levels remained stagnant, primarily due to inequitable resource distribution and the failure to generate sustainable economic opportunities for all residents. The study concluded that while devolution had led to some socioeconomic improvements, its full potential had yet to be realized. The persistence of governance challenges, weak accountability mechanisms, and limited citizen engagement constrained the impact of decentralization in Narok County. To address these issues, the study recommended several key policy interventions.