African Experience in the Application of the Development Aid Effectiveness Principles: The Case of Kenya

This book examines the implementation of Aid Effectiveness Principles in Kenya's agricultural sector, combining perspectives from the Kenyan government, donors, and small-scale farmers. It highlights a disconnect between the government and farmers regarding ownership and suggests that donors have exploited weaknesses in government responses to interpret the Principles in their strategic interests, leading to symbolic imitation rather than effective policy diffusion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 261 pages
Publication date: 26 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive book delves into the analysis of the diffusion and implementation of Aid Effectiveness Principles in Kenya's agricultural sector. While Aid Effectiveness Principles represent a significant milestone in the aid and development discourse, studies on their actual implementation in the African context remain limited. This book brings together the perspectives of the Kenyan government, donor representatives, and small-scale farmers, fostering a multi-faceted discussion. By incorporating comparative perspectives, the book's insights have broader relevance to the African region as a whole. It sheds light on a significant disconnect between the government and farmers regarding the concept of ownership, where farmers lack a meaningful voice in critical policy matters. The book reveals that donors have capitalized on the weaknesses in government responses to interpret the Aid Effectiveness Principles in ways that align with their strategic interests. Consequently, the book argues that the diffusion of Aid Effectiveness Principles has taken the form of symbolic imitation—a policy diffusion approach where policymakers prioritize symbolic value over actual effectiveness.

This book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of aid distribution and its impact on the agricultural sector in Kenya. By examining the interplay between the government, donors, and small-scale farmers, it sheds light on the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing Aid Effectiveness Principles. It highlights the need for greater inclusivity and collaboration in policymaking processes to ensure that the voices of all stakeholders are heard and that policies are designed to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Furthermore, the book raises important concerns about the exploitation of weaknesses in government responses by donors. It suggests that the interpretation and application of Aid Effectiveness Principles should be guided by a commitment to effectiveness, transparency, and accountability, rather than solely by strategic interests. This calls for a more robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of aid programs and identify areas for improvement.

Overall, this book contributes to the growing body of literature on aid effectiveness and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector in Africa. It is a must-read for policymakers, development practitioners, and scholars interested in understanding the complexities of aid distribution and its impact on sustainable development.

Weight: 493g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811983672
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023