- The level of dissatisfaction is also high in Vihiga at 50 per cent, Elgeiyo Marakwet (48 per cent) and Makueni (47 per cent).
- On the other hand, the majority of Kenyans agree that devolution has brought a number of positive changes.
Image: KEITH MUSEKE
Half of Kenyans are unhappy with the revenue collection in their counties, a report released by Twaweza Kenya shows.
The survey conducted in July indicates that dissatisfaction is higher in Nairobi County at 58 per cent than in other counties.
Some 3,746 respondent were targeted in the survey where they were asked to give their views on their county’s revenue collection and on whether they are happy or unhappy.
“This figure is broadly consistent across major demographic groups,” reads the report in part.
Only 27 per cent of the city residents say they are happy about it with 15 per cent being unsure.
The report is titled Power to the People: Kenyans’ Experiences and Opinions on Ten Years of Devolution in Practice.
Twaweza is a regional non-governmental organization that works to promote open government.
The report was launched at a time the country is marking the first decade since the advent of devolution.
The level of dissatisfaction is also high in Vihiga at 50 per cent, Elgeiyo Marakwet (48 per cent) and Makueni (47 per cent).
In general, those in formal employment accounted for the highest number who gave the opinion at 55 per cent followed by the self-employed or in business (53 per cent) and casual work (48 per cent).
On the other hand, the majority of Kenyans agree that devolution has brought a number of positive changes.
This means that three out of four Kenyans (75 per cent) say that devolution has led to an improvement in services and six out of 10 (58 per cent) report seeing positive economic developments in their county.
Specifically, seven out of 10 citizens (68 per cent) observe that devolution has improved health services in their county.
Notably, more women, young people and those who earn their income from agriculture are more likely to say health services have improved due to devolution than their older, richer male compatriots.
Similarly, three out of 10 Kenyans (32 per cent which is an increase from 23 per cent in 2018) now say it is (very) easy to meet the leaders of their county.
Three out of 10 (28 per cent up from 19 per cent) say it is (very) easy to influence county decision-making, and slightly more (32 per cent, up from 20 per cent) say it is (very) easy to access information.
However, seven out of 10 Kenyans say it is not easy to influence county decision-making (70 per cent), meet county leaders (67 per cent) and access information on county laws, budgets or projects (65 per cent).
Around half of Kenyans also agree that devolution has brought benefits in terms of inclusion and accountability including greater involvement in decision-making.