| dc.description.abstract | Kenya is run by a devolved system of government. This system was
reached through historical processes by which the State itself evolved
to become what it is today. An understanding of the origin, structure
and effectiveness or otherwise of the extant devolved system demands
some history. The purpose of this chapter is to restate this history while
reflecting on the implication of the various historical happenings on the
question of marginalisation, which is at the core of the research in this
publication.
The chapter explores the theme of decentralisation of government
in Kenya since the colonial days. In so doing, the chapter captures
the various phases through which Kenya’s governance structure has
evolved; The pre-colonial society, the colonial State, and the postcolonial
State.
In each of these epochs, the chapter sets out the key historical,
normative, policy, structural and administrative developments. The
chapter also examines the dominant ideologies that informed the
identified developments. It concomitantly reflects on the question of
marginalisation as dealt with alongside these key developments, and
addresses the historical socio-economic neglect of segments of the
Kenyan society over time. The chapter also lays bare the appurtenant
struggles. | en_US |
