Policy challenges affecting public infrastructure projects beyond regime change in Kenya

Abstract

Governments initiate, fund, and put-up public infrastructure projects (PIPs) to provide public goods and services to their people. However, policies related to PIPs have not always guaranteed continuity of projects beyond regime change. The trend of abandonment of PIPs continues to be witnessed in Kenya, especially during political transitions. Concerns arise over the loss of value for revenue owing to perpetual abandonment of PIPs after regime change. This stimulates the need to examine policies that govern them. This study therefore sought to identify policy challenges that affect continuity of PIPs beyond regime change. The objectives were to  identify policy challenges to continuous financing of PIPs beyond regime change as well as monitoring and evaluation of PIPs post-political transition. The study employed a qualitative approach and a case study research design. The targeted population comprised county government officials and members of the public. Quota-purposive sampling technique was used to select key participants. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, analysed using NVIVO. It has been presented in tables and narratives. The study found that political factors are the predominant challenge to implementation of fiscal as well as monitoring and evaluation policies beyond regime change. The study recommends enforcement of existing policies through sensitisation of politicians, provision civic education to the public, enacting of laws that compel stakeholders to abide by existing policies, and constant policy review.