The Citizen Report Card (CRC) survey in Machakos County, Kenya, was conducted to assess local democracy and service delivery, particularly focusing on the county’s management of forest-related issues and the impacts of climate change. The survey provides crucial feedback to the local government, helping to inform decision-making and improve public services in Machakos.
Survey Process
The CRC survey was administered in six sub-counties—Kalama, Kangundo, Kathiani, Mwala, Masinga, and Machakos—covering 348 households. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to ensure that the survey represented the demographics of Machakos, with a focus on balancing gender and age.
Key areas explored in the survey include:
- Public participation in local democracy
- Access to and satisfaction with local services
- Equity, transparency, and accountability
- Specific questions on forest management and climate change
Demographic Profile of the Participants
- 51% of respondents were male and 49% female.
- 45% of respondents were under 35 years old, and 46% were unemployed.
- 67% of households had an income below the absolute poverty line, making less than $1.90 per day.
- The majority of respondents lived in rural areas, and 11% reported having a household member with a disability.
Key Findings
1. Participation in Local Democracy
- Only 22% of citizens reported participating in local governance, often through village meetings.
- Women participated less and were less satisfied with local government responses compared to men.
- Barriers to participation for women and those living in poverty were evident, with respondents below the absolute poverty line of $1.90 per day being less engaged in local democracy than higher-income respondents.
2. Equity and Discrimination
- 1 in 8 respondents stated they had been unfairly denied local services, particularly in health care and agriculture.
- Poverty and low educational attainment were the most commonly cited reasons for exclusion. Addressing these barriers to ensure equal access to services was a key takeaway from the findings.
3. Transparency and Accountability
- While 40% of citizens were aware of information channels for local services, many found it difficult to access details about how the government spends its resources.
- Trust in complaint mechanisms was relatively high, with three-quarters of respondents viewing formal complaints as a useful way to influence the government. However, only half of the population knew how to submit a formal complaint.
- Corruption was reported by about 1 in 11 citizens, with incidents primarily occurring in health care, police services, and permits.
4. Forest Management and Climate Change
- 60% of respondents had access to local forests, but 40% reported changes to the forests, primarily due to deforestation and drying trees.
- Only 25% of citizens were aware of local government efforts to protect forests, highlighting a significant gap in awareness. Despite this, 80% of respondents were willing to participate in initiatives such as tree planting.
- Climate change has significantly impacted the community, with 82% of agricultural households reporting worsened conditions, including crop loss and lack of water due to more frequent droughts.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Increasing Participation: To address low participation rates, especially among women and low-income citizens, the local government should consider opening new channels for citizen involvement, such as social media, radio, and more targeted outreach to rural areas.
- Equity in Service Delivery: The government should explore ways to ensure that marginalized groups, particularly those living in poverty, can access essential services like health care and agriculture support.
- Forest Management Awareness: There is significant room for improvement in raising awareness about forest protection and climate adaptation initiatives. Providing training, tree-planting initiatives, and expanding water irrigation systems could help mitigate the effects of deforestation and climate change.
- Improved Communication: The local government could improve communication with citizens by using platforms like WhatsApp or social media and by providing more transparent information about public spending.
What suggestions do you have for improving local municipal services related to forest management?
This Citizen Report Card provides the Machakos County government with valuable insights to help improve service delivery, foster greater public participation, and create a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable local government.