What are the political and institutional determinants of the allocation and implementation of social fund development projects? What is the impact of social funds projects on poverty outcomes?

Kenya has been earmarking substantial sums as part of development spending of the central government to be disbursed to a Constituency Fund. The allocation of funds takes place via a decentralized process in which a committee chaired by the sitting MP invites proposals from members of the constituency.

This CSAE research project aims to evaluate how this system affects the allocation of funds and types of projects that are undertaken at the local level. To this end the study will explore three research questions. Firstly, what do Kenyans think about the CDF and to what extent they have been consulted in how the social funds are used in their constituencies. Secondly, what are the economic and political factors that influence the local portfolio of projects approved? Thirdly, is there any relationship between the MPs election outcomes and the characteristics of the local portfolio of projects approved?