Special Paper No 31 of 2022 on Research Ecosystem Strengthening through the Development of a Public Affairs Index to Support the Devolved System of Government in Kenya

Abstract

The Public Affairs Index (PAI) is a framework for monitoring delivery of public services at the county level. The Index helps to identify gaps, bring out emerging issues, and guide in prioritizing policy actions. The project that generated the PAI demonstrates the role of KIPPRA, as a think tank and research intermediary, in strengthening frameworks and tools for coordinating key stakeholders in the research ecosystem in Kenya to dialogue, network and enhance research uptake to inform the implementation of the devolved system of government. Through the project, five ecosystem strengthening goals have been achieved, as part of the RISA Fund, namely the building of human capital for the research stakeholders involved, enhancing research uptake into policies and regulations at the national platform as well as county level, equitable and inclusive participation devolved to each of the 47 counties, the networking of assets to drive collaboration between research actors and policy makers, and providing incentives for high quality research. Hence, based on the RISA project, this report provides detailed indicators in the framework across nine pillars, namely fiscal management, economic performance, human capital development, essential infrastructure, environmental management, transparency and accountability, crime and justice, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and social welfare.