E-GOVERNANCE IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN KENYA

In tro d u c t io n In fo rm a t ion C om m u n ic a t io n Te chn o log y ( IC T ) is an important tool that provides access to people, services, in fo rm a t io n a n d te c h n o lo g ie s (D u t to n e t a l , 2 0 0 3 ) . However, in spite of much discourse, concrete evidence of the effects of ICT on governance, especially on ICT a n d g o v e rn a n c e in lo c a l g o v e rn m e n t , is ra re . Nonetheless, the findings in th is policy brief show that application of ICT in local governance has mixed, albeit, overall positive effects on participation, responsiveness, transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness. T h e s e v a r ia b le s a re im p o r ta n t fo r e v a lu a t in g e governance in local government, and are part of an egovernance outcome evaluation framework that is being developed by the Local Governance and ICTs Research Network for Africa (LOG-IN Africa) . The findings emanate from the Kenya case study of the LOG-IN project whose overall objective was to assess the influence of computerized Local Authority Integrated F in a n c ia l O p e ra t io n a l M a n a g e m e n t S y s te m s (L O IF O M S ) o n lo c a l g o v e rn a n c e u s in g tw o L o c a l Authorities (LAs) Nyeri and Mavoko Municipal Councils. Data for the Kenya case studies were collected between F e b ru a ry a n d S e p te m b e r 2 0 0 7 u s in g s u rv e y questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group and round table discussions, as well as a review of relevant documents from the two municipal councils. The focus was on the perspectives of both the consumers of the services, and the council offic ia ls. Data was ana lyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. L A s in K e n y a fa c e c h a l le n g e s re la t in g to th e g o v e rn a n c e o f re s o u rc e , in p a r t ic u la r, f in a n c ia l governance. The financial base and the management is the backbone of any institution. Thus, the financial m a n a g e m e n t in L A s a f fe c ts th e p ro v is io n a n d m anagem ent o f serv ices. The file -based in form ation storage system , which m ost LAs use, is cumbersome and often not up to-date. In isolated cases where LAs have begun em brac ing IC T, i t is l im ited to f inanc ia l management and secretarial word processing services. Poor financial management in Las is largely due to poor revenue and expenditure documentation, and tracking. Th is shortcom ing, resu lts in unpaid revenues, and has been exploited by officials and service consumers since it attracts corrupt practices by the officers and consumers who collude to distort collection and bills. In most cease, records are never readily available and where they are ava i lab le , th ey a re d i f f icu lt to acce ss a nd , a re o f ten incorrect. The few honest consumers take months and y e a rs to h a v e th e i r b i l l in g c o m p la in ts a t te n d e d a n d co nc lu de d . Adoption of full-fledged ICT services has the potential of promoting and supporting routine business service needs, promoting trade and investment, and jo int planning and development cooperation. In recognition of this strength of ICT, the Kenya LOB-IN Africa case study investigated th e s c o p e , u s a g e , s u c c e s s e s a n d c h a l le n g e s o f automation of the financial management function in LAs; the in fluence o f the au tom ated financ ia l m anagem ent system on in terna l o rgan izationa l processes, includ ing improvement of accountability and transparency, reduction o f f inanc ia l transact ions cos ts , and enhanced ove ra l l in s t i tu t iona l e f f ic ienc y ; a nd e ffe c ts o f the au tom ated financial management system on access to information and service delivery and interaction with stakeholders.