Kenya

Kenya's new constitution marks a critical juncture in the nation's history. It is widely perceived, by Kenyans from all walks of life, as a new beginning. Indeed, many... Show More + feel that post- independence Kenya has been characterized by centralization of political and economic power in the hands of a few, resulting in an uneven and unfair distribution of resources and corresponding access to social services; the opposite of an inclusive state. Born of the political opportunity created by the 2008 post-election violence, the constitution finally adopted, after almost a decade of unsuccessful reform attempts, presages far-reaching changes. Its vision encompasses a dramatic transformation of the Kenyan state through new accountable and transparent institutions, inclusive approaches to government and a firm focus on equitable service delivery for all Kenyans through the newly established county governments. Devolution is at the heart of the new constitution and a key vehicle for addressing spatial inequities. A more decentralized government makes eminent sense, given Kenya's diversity and experience with political use of central power. Decentralization has been increasingly seen and adopted worldwide as a guarantee against discretionary use of power by central elites as well as a way to enhance the efficiency of social service provision, by allowing for a closer match between public policies and the desires and needs of local constituencies. Kenya's constitution entrenches devolved government by guaranteeing a minimum unconditional transfer to counties under the new dispensation. The devolution train has already left the station: the challenge is to make sure it arrives at destination, safely and on time. The politics of devolution explain the high intensity of hopes and expectations that have been pinned to it. It also means there are high risks if they are disappointed. There are great opportunities and enormous challenges waiting for Kenya, in a critical election year, which will determine the fate of the country, politically and economically for years to come. This report takes a snapshot look at the critical issues facing Kenya's policy makers today. It does not argue for or against devolution (a decision that belongs solely to Kenyans), but presents suggestions and recommendations on how best to navigate the tough choices ahead. It's main focus in on helping Kenya manage a delicate transition. Show Less -

Kenya's economy has been running on one engine. Kenya's strong engine is domestic consumption, which accounts for 75 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Kenya's... Show More + weak engine remains its exports, which have been declining sharply in relative importance. Kenya's top four main exports do not earn enough to pay for oil imports, not to mention other imports. It will be very difficult for Kenya to achieve high growth over an extended period of time because of its existing economic imbalances. Kenya needs to increase its export competitiveness. It is clear that Kenya's trade performance is below its potential. The objective of this overview is to provide some of that analysis and to contribute to the policy dialogue on the role of exports Kenya's future growth. This paper focuses on five issues: 1) overall trade orientation and export growth; 2) merchandise export trends; 3) merchandise exports by sector; 4) merchandise exports by destination; and 5) diversification. The growth of merchandise exports has been slow and volatile. The average annual growth rate of merchandise exports has been only 10 percent. And while countries such as Vietnam have has a distinct export growth trajectory with steady growth in merchandise exports year after year, Kenya's pattern has been rather volatile with a few good years followed by major falls. Export growth has been driven primarily by existing products in existing markets. Overall there has been little new product/new market discovery. Show Less -

The health equity and financial protection reports are short country-specific volumes that provide a picture of equity and financial protection in the health sectors... Show More + of low-and middle-income countries. Topics covered include: inequalities in health outcomes, health behavior and health care utilization; benefit incidence analysis; financial protection; and the progressivity of health care financing. Kenya's government is committed to improving equity and financial protection in health by implementing the Second National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP II). Kenya spends 4.3 per cent (2009) of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health. This is lower than the average spending levels in other lower income countries in Africa, which spent an average of 6.5 per cent (2009) of their GDP on health. The functions of the health system in Kenya have historically been centralized through top-down decision-making and resource allocations. However, in the past decade Kenya has committed to decentralization of certain core functions to the district level. These include managing the health management system, making resource allocation decisions, and delivering health services. The central government maintains control over the majority of the key functions of the health system including staffing, contracting, and maintaining the national health information system. Kenya has a form of social insurance through the 40 year-old National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). Employees in the formal sector are compulsorily insured and must make monthly contributions from their wages. Show Less -

Doing Business in Kenya 2012 is the second subnational report of the Doing Business series in Kenya. In 2009, Doing Business in Kenya 2010 analyzed quantitative indicators... Show More + on business regulations for 11 cities: Eldoret, Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kisumu, Malaba, Mombasa, Nairobi, Narok, Nyeri, and Thika. This year, Doing Business in Kenya 2012 documents improvements in the 11 cities previously measured and expands the analysis to 2 new cities: Kakamega and Nakuru. The cities can be compared against each other, and with 183 economies worldwide. Doing Business investigates the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. Regulations affecting 4 stages of the life of a business are measured at the subnational level in Kenya: starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registering property, and enforcing contracts. These indicators were selected because they cover areas of local jurisdiction or practice. The indicators are used to identify business reforms and the extent to which these have been effective in simplifying the procedures, saving time, and lowering the cost of doing business. The data in Doing Business in Kenya 2012 are current as of March 2012. Show Less -

This study examines the role that Traditional Herbal Medicine Practitioners (THMPs) play in Kenya in the context of its human resources for health crisis. Two surveys... Show More + were carried out to obtain evidence. The first documented the choices and perceptions of households in 36 communities on seeking medical assistance for eight common illnesses. The second survey asked 258 THMPs in five provinces to identify their knowledge sources, training, common illnesses treated, forms of payment, challenges, and concerns. Community-derived data show that households make reasonable decisions when faced with difficult circumstances: they prefer hospitals when these are affordable and seek care at clinics and health centers when hospitals are too far away. There is significant self-care and use of pharmacies, although THMPs are preferred for worms and lower respiratory problems. In general, THMPs provide an important though diminishing role in the provision of health care; they are not sought out in situations when inadequate care is dangerous, specifically infant diarrhoea and potential TB. Whilst Human Resources for Health (HRH) policies are urgently required to strengthen the conventional health workforce and increase their accessibility for the poor, policies should not ignore the findings from this study: many of the rural poor currently receive services from a traditional health workforce not linked to, or regulated by, the national government. This paper argues that formal recognition of their role by the government and by the conventional medical associations, and a targeted strategy to strengthen and build on the positive qualities evident in many traditional medicine practices may be beneficial to safeguarding the well-being of the poor. Show Less -

The introduction of the Citizen Report Card (CRC) tool in three Kenyan cities formed a basis for dialogue between citizenry and decision makers on urban water and sanitation... Show More + issues. The CRC replicates the private sector practice of collecting and acting on consumer data for self improvement, but applies it to public goods and services, framed in an open and public consultative process. The CRC tool was followed by institutionalized approaches to promoting social accountability, such as specialist civic networks on the demand side, and regulatory supported citizen monitoring and feedback mechanisms on the supply side. This note and accompanying DVD describes the context, processes and results of the initiative which seeks to increasingly bring citizens to the center of urban water and sanitation sector reforms. Show Less -

This report describes gender mainstreaming in water and sanitation management training and capacity building program in Kenya. The background of the need for training... Show More + is introduced. Section 1 describes an experience exchange visit to India to learn about successful gender integration. Section 2 discusses the first joint introductory workshop in Mumbai. Section 3 discusses field visits to Kerala State and Maharashtra. Section 4 compares the projects in Kerala State and Maharashtra. Section discusses the conclusion of the visits and lessons learned. The report contains five appendices. Show Less -

Kenya may be at a 'tipping point', the theme of the third Kenya economic update which has a special focus on the transformative impact of information and communication... Show More + technology (ICT) and mobile money. Over the last decade, ICT has outperformed all others sectors growing at an average of 20 percent per year. The benefits of ICT are starting to be felt in other sectors, and have contributed to the conditions for Kenya to reach this tipping point. Kenya has entered the new decade with renewed and stronger than expected growth. The passing of the new constitution, continued strong macroeconomic policies, and a favorable regional environment have created a new positive economic momentum. Kenya may again be positioned to experience high growth. Over the last three decades Kenya has experienced only two short episodes when economic growth exceeded five percent and was sustained for at least three consecutive years: 1986-88, and 2004-2007. Is Kenya again at the verge of experiencing another growth spurt? Will it last longer and go deeper than the previous two episodes? Show Less -

Gender is a concept that refers to socially constructed roles, behavior, activities and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate and ascribes to men... Show More + and women. A useful definition of the concept of gender mainstreaming is provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (1997), suggests that mainstreaming a gender perspective is the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programs, in all areas and at all levels. It is a strategy for making the concerns and experiences of women as well as men, an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs in all political, economic and societal spheres, so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality. The chapters that follow highlight in a short summary form experiences of mainstreaming gender at various levels in the water and sanitation sector. It begins with a discussion on gender responses to policy and its requirement for analysis and clear policy objectives to guide operations. The second section touches on experiences of mainstreaming gender within sector operations, beginning with the importance of mainstreaming in the workplace. Section three addresses gender responses to monitoring and evaluation processes, while the fourth section examines responses to gender issues within accountability and voice initiatives. Section five assesses gender responses within hygiene and behavior change programs, while section six examines the linkages between water, sanitation and HIV/AIDS. This is followed by an assessment of the way ahead. In each section good mainstreaming practices are highlighted, while a checklist summarizes key points to consider when mainstreaming gender. Show Less -

Regulatory reform has emerged as an important policy area in developing countries. For reforms to be beneficial, regulatory regimes need to be transparent, coherent,... Show More + and comprehensive. They must establish appropriate institutional frameworks and liberalized business regulations; enforce competition policy and law; and open external and internal markets to trade and investment. This report examines the institutional set-up for and use of regulatory policy instruments in Kenya. It is one of five reports prepared on countries in East and Southern Africa (the others are on Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania). The report is based on a review of public documents prepared by the government, donors, and the private sector, and on a limited number of interviews with key institutions and individuals. Show Less -