International Journal of Innovative Research and Development

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the role of CDF in achieving equitable distribution of resources.  Specific objectives of the study were; to establish the role of CDF in distribution of resources to education projects, to determine the role of CDF in health projects, to assess the role of CDF in water projects and to establish the role of CDF in road infrastructure projects. The study was guided by; participatory theory, public sector capital budgeting decision theory and public sector fiscal decentralization theory. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study was carried out in Baringo Central Constituency. The target population was; the CDF project management committees, CDF committee members, ward representatives, chiefs, assistant chiefs, youth leaders, and staff working in CDF office including the fund manager. The researcher used census method to select 22 chiefs, 44 assistant chiefs, 15 ward administrators, 110 project management committee, 5 youth leaders, 1 DEO, 1 District water officer, 1 medical service officer, 1 public works officer, and 1 Sub-County commissioner. Questionnaires, interviews and documents analysis was used to collect data. The data was examined using descriptive statistics; frequencies, percentages and means. Multiple regression models were used to measure the role of CDF in distribution of resources. The findings of this study are of importance to government and policy makers as it will provide knowledge on role of CDF in resource distribution. This would enable them to take appropriate policies that will ensure that CDF is linked to resource distribution in the constituency and regulate the public sector participation. The findings of this study is also of significance to the CDF implementation committees at the constituency level as it provides them with more knowledge on the role of CDF in equitable distribution of resources hence enabling them to effectively propose implement and manage the projects that are geared in improving the socio-economic welfare in their local areas. Finally, the outcome of this study provide information on CDF and its role in resource distribution to potential and current scholars, this will expand their knowledge. Constituency Development Funds has contributed significantly distribution of resources to educational projects. The results indicated that CDF has contributed significantly in distribution of resources to the health projects. The study established that CDF has significantly influenced distribution of resources to water project. The CDF has no significant effect on distribution of resources to road infrastructure. The researcher recommended that; more resources to be allocated to school projects to meet the increasing demands, there is need to increase CDF allocation to health projects at the constituency levels to ease congestion in referral hospitals and provide affordable health services to the public, the CDF management to give equal priority to provision of clean water to the constituents, and there should be a clear policy on the projects that are covered by CDF, to avoid duplication of work, since currently there are funds allocated for roads maintenance at the constituency level.  

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