Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
The process of decolonization in kenya
The process of decolonization in kenya
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: The process of decolonization in kenya
TOPIC: Devolution; is devolution structure enshrined in the constitution 2010 the best form of governance and decentralization of power and resources for Kenya?
INTRODUCTION
The Constitution of 2010 is the hallmark of adoption of devolution in Kenya. Its promulgation on the 27th day of August 2010 was momentous in that it came as a reward for the concerted efforts numerous Kenyans had employed for decades in the clamor for ridding Kenya off the highly centralized system of government in favor of devolution . By dint of Article 6(1) of the constitution, Kenya adopted a devolved system of governance. This article states that, “The territory of Kenya is divided into the counties specified in the First Schedule.” As outlined in this First Schedule of the constitution, Kenya is sub-divided into 47 counties . Chapter eleven further outlines how this whole system will function- the fundamentals of its implementation. Chapter eighteen is on the procedural transition from the centralized system to its eventual full implementation .
However, this system as enshrined in the constitution is not the best for Kenya. Succinctly, it is unfavorable for Kenya. So many factors and considerations are taken into account when choosing governance structures best suitable for each of the different and diverse societies in the world. The circumstances and factors prevalent in our Kenyan society do not resonate well with this system as it is. These factors contemplated here-above include the economic might of the nation, the ethnic composition, the size of the population, the immediate needs of the population and so forth. This critic hereby espoused will be the basis upon which this paper is premised.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
What is devolu...
... middle of paper ...
...tem are founded.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In undertaking this research, the following questions formed its basis:
• What is devolution?
• How does devolution compare with other systems of decentralization, most notably, federalism?
• What is the history of devolution in Kenya?
• How consistent has the clamor for devolution in Kenya been?
• Why were Kenyans so eager to embrace devolution?
• What were the gains envisaged by embracing devolution?
• Which are the challenges devolution implementation process faced?
• Which are the inadequacies of the devolution structure?
• How easy is it to amend it?
• Which is the best format of devolution to adopt?
• How does the Kenyan structure compare with that in other nations?
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
LIMITATIONS
The limitations faced in this research
RESEARCH OUTLINE
The situation became even more complex when the British colonial administration introduced a currency-based income tax system. For centuries, the Kenyan economy had largely rested on the exchange of livestock and other goods. With this in mind, it should come as little su...
France provides an excellent example of what this sort of government would look like when acted out. The minister of education was once able to look at the time and be able to say what each child was learning at that moment.1 In addition, Nigeria provides an example of a unitary system. Both in its first (1966–79) and second (1984–99) phases, military rule in Nigeria was defined by the subordination of the federal structure to the soldiers’ unitary command system, with the army headquarters deploying officers to the states as governors or administrators like any other routine military appointment.4 This meant that the local governments were all overseen by the central government. The Federal Military Government could make laws for the peace, order and good government of Nigeria or any part thereof with respect to any matter whatsoever. Such laws routinely included clauses that barred the judiciary from investigating or invalidating any actions of the military. Instead, military-facilitated administrative tribunals, which often co-opted members of the bench and bar, usurped many of the judicial functions of government, while the regular judiciary suffered neglect, manipulation, humiliation and intimidation.4 These
As a representative of the Algo ethnic group, I want to say that our people would like the new state to introduce a parliamentary system of governence. Parliamentarism is a system of government in which the head of government is elected by and accountable to a parliament or legislature. One could rightfully ask: What is our reasoning for desiring this? We think it is justified because in presidential systems the populace at large votes for a chief executive, who is the President, in a nation-wide election. This is revenant as the Algo comprises the minority of the population of the Republic of Jarth, which consists of only 1.1 million representatives in the whole state, compared to that of 2.9 million Randies, 3.8 million Dorfas and 2.2 million Takas living in the Republic of Jarth. One can reasonably assume that the outcome will most likely be that the cumulation of the majority’s vote will hinder the representation (in numbers) of the members of the minority in office. Subsequently, the Algo will have to live under the control of a leader from another ethnic group again, which the Algo members tremble at the thought of because we are proud of their ethnicity and do not wished to be shamed for it. On the other hand, in parliamentarism, the first step is an election of members of parliament, which are the political parties. This is imperative since it will allow the Algo to be able to choose the party we really share interests with....
1990 Becoming Kenyans: Socio-economic transformation of the pastoral Maasai (Drylands research series), Acts Press, pp. 193-201
For this assignment I chose to write about Jomo Kenyatta. After reading chapters three and four of Khapoya’s book, it was hard to imagine an Africa that wasn’t under colonial rule. I can only comprehend on a very basic level the impact colonialism had on the Africans economically, physically, and mentally. It is inspiring to read further and discover the immense, calculated, and passionate efforts that many Pan African leaders played in the years that followed. I found Jomo Kenyatta to be particularly interesting. For many reasons, Kenyatta is considered one of the most significant leaders of the Pan African movement in the twentieth century. Kenyatta had a clear vision of what he wanted for Kenya (or Africa as a whole), he was prepared for the path he would have to take, and he accomplished much for the country and continent as a whole.
“The sun never sets on the British Empire,” Great Britain often bragged. By 1914, about 85% of the earth’s surface was colonized by Europe. Between 1884 and 1885, The Berlin Conference took place to carve up the African continent (Background Essay). Europeans saw high potential in Africa and thought the continent was empty, even though it was not. It was roughly “untouched” and they thought they could do anything they wanted (Doc.1). Great Britain’s colonization in Kenya affected the country’s religion and culture, education, and government.
Fonchingong, Tangie Nsoh, and John Bobuin. Gemandze. Cameroon: The Stakes and Challenges of Governance and Development. Mankon, Bamenda: Langaa RPCIG, 2009. Print.
A number of policy interventions have been originated since independence to address the growing employment problem in Kenya, and with that, make an attempt at bettering the lot of the Kenyan youth. The earliest among these were the Kenyanization policies adopted at independence in which it was envisaged that young Kenyans would quickly take over duties and responsibilities from departing colonial staffers. Other policy measures included promotion of growth and development of the informal and jua kali sector in the 1990’s.
In Kenya, it is comprised of several different groups that are distinct ethno-linguistic. Over several decades, Kenya has evolved both biologically and culturally. This culture has a great diversity of customs and family patterns. To understand the families in Kenya, it is also important to understand their culture backgrounds and where they come from. Family has a high value in this culture and is considered the center of community life. The children here hold an upmost importance because it can be considered an economic advantage having more children and also wives too. It is common here for families to have eight or more children because there was a
On the eastern coast of Africa lies a land full of sunny blue skies and large plains in which zebras and elephants roam. This land is the country of Kenya. Outside of Kenya’s cities and towns lies many samples of natures beauty. Unfortunately, the people living in this land are troubled by their struggle with the government and trying to form a democracy. Matthew Carotenuto stated, “Much of the world had historically viewed Kenya as an island of peace and economic potential in a roiling sea of stateless chaos.” What he means is that people have long seen Kenya as a peaceful place that is surrounded by countries suffering from all sorts of violence and unfortunate circumstances. What many people do not know is that Kenya has a long history for political violence going way back to when the country was colonized. Understanding that Kenya’s past violence was due to their struggle for social and political authority helps us understand some of their violence issues today. According to Maina Kiai, violence broke out after Kenya’s 2007 election. Many people had thought that Kenya was a more peaceful country compared to others in Africa because they were working towards a democracy. Currently Kenya is a republic (“Kenya” The World...). Another thing Kiai mentioned is that one of Kenya’s major political problems is that Kenya's constitution gives the president full power to elect anyone he wants into a political position for any salary he chooses. Scott Baldauf and Robert Crilly also explain how Kenya is trying to become a democracy but its political system is weak and allows the president too much power, making the nation a dictatorship in disguise. This leads to many ethical issues within the governments systems. We should care about Ken...
Kenya is a republic of East Africa. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean on the southeast. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. It is located in the south central part of the country. It has a population of 1.5 million. The National Musum of Kenya, the National Theater and the University of Nairobi are in the city.
Historians have held radically different views about the politics of ethnic identity and the attendant complexities in the emerging postcolonial nation, Kenya. Many historians who focus on ethnicity issues have tended to see the colonial period as an important turning point, while others maintain that the impact of the colonial masters on their colonies was superficial. Macharia Munene, the author of “The Colonial Policies of Segregating the Kikuyu, 1920-1964”, contends that the division among Africans came about as a European strategy to keep Africans divided once Africans started showing resentment toward the colonial states and demanded fair treatment economically, socially, and of course, politically. On the other hand, Bethwell A. Ogot, the author of “Building on the Indigenous, Selected Essays, 1981-1998”, answers the question of ethnicity in Kenya by looking at the relationship between the state and society. He looks at the process of state building in relation to the civil society in Kenya. To him, there is an uneven distribution of power, and an uneven access to resources, leading to many conflicts. Then again, Lesa B. Morrison, the author of “The nature of decline: distinguishing myth from reality in the case of the Luo of Kenya”, contends that narrative is an important means of structuring and giving meaning to experience as it often persists and influences behavior. In accordance with his narrative, the nature of the elite status and the means by which group members have responded to particular indicators at the expense of others has helped shape Kenya into ethnic rather than policy nation.
The gap between developed and underdeveloped is evident in today’s world. In naïve effort to bridge this gap a host of aid projects and development schemes are plotted onto less developed countries. But what is development really? James Ferguson attempts to explore this concept in his book “The Anti-Politics Machine: ‘Development’, Depoliticization and Bureaucratic Power in Lesotho”. The book is an extension of Ferguson’s PhD dissertation and was published in 1990 by Cambridge University Press. The book is interesting in that it seeks to give the reader a critical understanding and insight of the actual processes that take place when development projects are implemented. Using the small African country of Lesotho as his setting, Ferguson’s book is centre around the Thaba-Tseka Development Project. This book is likely interest a variety of audience, namely anthropologists, sociologists, economists, development practitioners or any lay person interested in the field of development.
Kenya is a very important country in the world basically due to its strategic location in the East African region. It is a country that has had an interesting political walk that despite the challenges it has faced, it has managed to pull through though with an interesting history to tell. There have been different regimes in the country since it acquired its independence. Worth noting is that these regimes have come into power through different ideologies and they have guided the country in different directions. The country was colonized by the British and acquired its independence in the year 1963. Notably, Kenya is considered to have been a colonial invention which had to contend with the colonialists.
There are different views on good governance agenda among proponents and opponents of the idea. Proponents of good governance see it as a worthy goal not only in and of itself, but also as a means through which to impact a variety of other outcomes, particularly economic growth and development (Gisselquist, 2012). Whereas, the opponents on the other side argue that the use of governance criteria in the allocation of foreign aid effectively introduces political conditionality and imposes Western liberal models of democracy (Ibid). Opposed to the argument there is a widespread consensus that good governance is a necessary ingredient of sustainable development. Owing to this, nations in the world including Ethiopia, regardless of their political ideology, economic development and other factors are striving to ensure good governance.