Public Service Accountability and Governance in Kenya since Independence

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Public Service Accountability and Governance in Kenya since Independence
Author:	Odhiambo-Mbai C.
Year:	2003
Periodical:	African Journal of Political Science
Volume:	8
Issue:	1
Pages:	113-145
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Kenya
Subjects:	ethics patronage civil service Politics and Government
External link:	http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/africanjournals/html/itemdetail.cfm?recordID=396
Abstract:	Bad governance is a major contributor to poor service delivery in Africa. In Kenya, the level of accountability in the management of public affairs has consistently declined since independence. This is in spite of various legal instruments and watchdog institutions established to regulate and monitor the ethical conduct of public officials. This paper argues that the pattern of consolidation of power embarked upon by Kenya's postcolonial rulers was a major underlying factor in the deterioration of ethical standards in the public service. The construction of patron-clientelist relations was quite pronounced in this regard. The same goes for the deliberate manipulation of ethnicity. The paper concludes by advocating the adoption of a number of measures in order to enhance accountability in the public service of Kenya. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]