There has been broad agreement in recent years that decentralization is
key in achieving democracy at local level. Examining the successes,
failures, possibilities and limitations of efforts across rural Kenya,
this book analyzes the socioeconomic and institutional prerequisites for
successful decentralization, and the role of community groups and
producer organizations in reducing poverty and promoting empowerment.
Original empirical studies explore the fundamental elements of coherent,
inclusive and ultimately effective decentralization, and how these can
be applied to efforts across the African continent and beyond.