Citizens Participation and Success of Decentralized Services Delivery Systems in Rwanda A Case Study of Rubavu Sector

ABSTRACT 

The study examined the relationship between citizens’ participation and success of decentralized services delivery systems in Rwanda, using Rubavu Sector in Rubavu District as a case study. The researcher used both a case study and survey research designs. A questionnaire (self administered) was used as the main method of data collection. Nevertheless, informal interview data collection method was also used to supplement and validate data that were generated through the questionnaire. The study findings made four main revelations. First, citizens in Rubavu Sector participate in various decentralized services delivery systems in areas of Health, education, drinking water and sanitation, justice, agricultural extension, seeds and roads. Second, citizens in Rubavu Sector use two modes of participation, namely; direct participation at lower level, and representation (by elected Representatives) at the Sector Level. Third, to participate in decentralized services delivery systems, citizens in Rubavu Sector follow several procedures including, appearing for pubic hearing, attending meetings in person and airing out their views freely, deciding on priorities through voting (and use of majority vote rule to make significant decisions), and use of representatives to air out their views at the Sector Level. Fourth, citizens’ participation in Rubavu Sector greatly promotes to the success of decentralized services delivery systems. It should, however, be noted that notwithstanding the foregoing, the study revealed as well that several measures are required to make citizens’ participation more vibrant in enhancing the success of decentralized services delivery systems, in xl’ Rubavu Sector, in particular, and Rwanda in general. The researcher, therefore, recommends as follows. First, Local Governments should increase the level of sensitization to make citizens more aware of the importance of decentralized services delivery systems so that they can participate actively. Second, Local Governments should endeavor to implement the lower level decisions/views, more so when and if they are genuine and reasonable. Third, leaders of the Local Governments should be more transparent and more accountable to the citizens at the grassroots. Fourth, citizens themselves at the local level should endeavor to get more information about the decentralized services delivery systems that benefit them. Fifth, Central Government should work hand-in-hand with Local Governments and citizens to strengthen accountability and transparency. Sixth, Central Government should work hand-in-hand with Local Governments to reactivate local people to initiate, implement and monitor decisions and plans that concern them. Finally, Central Government should enhance responsiveness of public administration to the local environment/people.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

SUPERVISOR’S APPROVAL Ii

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF TABLES ix

LIST OF FIGURES x

LIST OF ACRONYMS xi

ABSTRACT xii

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background to the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3 Purpose and objectives of the study 5

1.3.1 Purpose of the study 5

1.3.2 Objectives of the study 5

1.4 Research questions 5

1.5 Significance of the study 6

1.6 Conceptual framework 7

CHAPTER TWO 

2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 9

2.1 Introduction 9

2.2.0 Definition of terms 9

2.2.1 Decentralization 9

2.2.2 Citizens’ participation 10

2.3 Theoretical framework 12

2.4 Administration and management in local governments 13

2.5 Centralization versus decentralization 14

2.6 Decentralization of services delivery systems and citizens’ participation 15

2.7 Decentralization policy in Rwanda and its objectives 18

2.8 Modes of citizens’ participation 22

2.9 Procedures of citizens’ participation 23

2.10 The framework of accountability relationships under decentralization 24

2.11 Success of decentralized services delivery systems 25

CHAPTER THREE 28

3.0 METHODOLOGY 28

3.1 Introduction 28

3.2 Research design 28

3.3 Scope of the study 28

3.4 Target Population 29

3.5 Sample size 29

3.6 Sampling Techniques 30

3.7 Methods of Data Collection 30

3.8 Data Analysis 31

3.9 Quality Control 31

CHAPTER FOUR 33

4.0 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 33

4.1 Introduction 33

4.2 Characteristics of respondents 33

4.2.1 Age, Gender, and Marital status of respondents 33

4.2.2 Respondents’ Level of Educational 34

4.3 Presentation of findings 34

4.3.1 Decentralized Services Delivery Systems respondents participate in, in Rubavu Sector 34

4.3.2 Modes of citizens’ participation in Rubavu Sector 36

4.3.3 Procedures of citizens’ participation in Rubavu Sector 37

4.3.4 Whether or not, citizens’ participation promotes the success of decentralized services delivery systems in Rubavu Sector 40

4.4 Discussion of findings 42

4.4.1 Decentralized services delivery systems respondents participate in, in Rubavu Sector 42

4.4.2 Modes of citizens’ participation 43

4.4.3 Procedures of citizens’ participation 44

4.4.4 Successful services delivery systems 45

CHAPTER FIVE 47

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 47

5.1 Introduction 47

5.2 Conclusions 47

5.3 Recommendations 48

5.4 Suggested areas for further research 50

REFERENCES 51

APPENDICES 54