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Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis – Revolutionising Devolution in Kenya through Public Policy Actions

Background to this Research

Public participation is a right under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, premised on the idea that citizen participation in government decision making is fundamental to the functioning of a democratic system of governance. Citizen participation includes involvement in administrative processes such as policy, law making, and planning. With this premise, the RISA Fund supported the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) in the development of the Public Affairs Index (PAI) and County Business Environment for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), (CBEM), to measure government performance and citizen satisfaction in the provision of key public services at the county level.

About the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis

The KIPPRA is a state corporation mandated to provide quality policy advice to the Government of Kenya and other key stakeholders, by conducting policy research, analysis, and capacity building to contribute to the achievement of national long term development goals.

How the RISA Fund Grant was Used

This project successfully achieved the RISA Fund objective on Research Institution and System Strengthening in Africa (SRIA). This led to two reports:

  • Development of the PAI: a multi-dimensional, data-driven measurement of government performance and citizens satisfaction in the provision of key public services at the county level, against nine selected pillars: fiscal management, economic performance, human capital development, essential infrastructure, environmental management, transparency and accountability, crime and justice, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and social welfare.
  • Development of CBEM: a framework that provides a tool for monitoring progress in improving business environments for the growth and survival of MSEs and focused on six major pillars: access to worksite, market environment, technical capacity, governance and regulatory framework, risk preparedness, and management and financial inclusion.

Key Findings and Achievements

  • The counties expressed interest in utilising both the PAI and CBEM tools in their 2022- 2027 County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) to help in provision of improved services.
  • KIPPRA has commenced the process of tailoring the policy briefs across forty-seven counties in Kenya.

Recommendations and Next Steps

  • KIPPRA intends to generate the indices on a regular basis to capture progress and emerging issues requiring frequent data collection.
  • The indices will be integrated in various policy processes including providing necessary evidence in preparation of county annual development plans and guiding sector working groups to focus on priority developmental needs and emerging issues.
  • The results from the indices will be used by universities and think tanks to inform policy questions for research work to continuously improve the indices.