The Effects of Coordination in Multilevel Governance System on Water Services Management in Kenya

Abstract

This article examined the effectiveness of the existing framework for intergovernmental coordination in Kenya's multilevel governance system and its effects on the management of water services delivery. Based on a thematic analysis of interviews with policy actors from both levels of government, the findings indicate that, despite agreement among policy actors from both levels that there is a significant functional interdependence in the delivery of water services, the scope and frequency of coordination were less than anticipated under the devolution policy. This has negatively impacted water service delivery in numerous ways. The study demonstrates that the underlying causes of the observed weak intergovernmental coordination are factors related to persistent contestation of functional assignment between the two levels of government, resource allocation, and perceptions of national government encroachment into county functions which erodes trust and undermines service delivery.