Social Accountability Mechanisms, Government Regulations and Governance: A study of Civil Society Organisations in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the influence of social accountability mechanisms used by civil society organisations on governance in Kenya. Though civil society organisations utilize a number of social accountability mechanisms, tools and approaches aimed at seeking an active voice in the planning of the local development, formulating of budgets, demanding government accountability in local resources allocation and tracking how resources are used, there is limited evidence on how these mechanisms actually show a demonstrable influence on improving governance. Furthermore, the civil society continues to lament an absence of national and local government responsiveness to their efforts at improving governance. A review of both empirical and theoretical literature examined how the social accountability mechanisms that civil society organisations utilise contributed to enhancing governance in Kenya. Specifically, the study looked at the influence of participatory budgeting, public expenditure tracking surveys, social audit and community scorecard on governance and the moderating effect of government regulations on the relationship between social accountability mechanisms used by civil society organization and governance in Kenya. Using cross-sectional survey research design, the study targeted 80 civil society organisations who are involved in social accountability initiatives across the country. The study employed purposive sampling to pick the sample while data was collected using a questionnaire. Quantitative data was analysed using inferential statistics (mean and standard deviation) using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while the analysis of qualitative data was done using content analysis. The researcher used multiple regression analysis to determine whether the proposed factors in the model together showed the influence of these social accountability mechanisms used by civil society organisations on governance in Kenya. From the results of the study, it was established that three out of the four social accountability mechanisms used by CSOs (participatory budget, community scorecard and social audit) had significant influence on governance in Kenya. However, public expenditure tracking survey mechanism was insignificant in determining governance in Kenya. It was further established that government regulations moderated the relationship between social accountability mechanisms used by the civil society organizations and governance in Kenya. Therefore, for better governance in Kenya in terms of transparency, accountability, citizen awareness and participation, civil society organization should use these social accountability mechanisms adhering to the existing government regulations to promote governance in Kenya. The study recommends that government agencies provide adequate access to all relevant information on government policies, plans, budgets and programmes and removes all bottlenecks hindering CSOs and Citizens from adequately accessing information. The study further recommends that there is a need to increase the consideration of opinions and priorities of citizens when designing policies, plans, budgets and programmes affecting them and a need to provide adequate structures and systems for CSOs and citizens to air their grievances to relevant authorities. Similarly, citizens too should be empowered to take adequate measures to safeguard their rights to quality basic services without prejudice. The study contributes to knowledge on governance through a better understanding of social accountability mechanisms particularly in developing countries. It also provides significant contribution in the area of management and leadership and enables leaders in appreciating social accountability mechanisms hence achieving good governance. The study also brings forth the role of civil society organizations in enhancing government responsibility to its citizens.