Discussion Paper No. 282 of 2022 on Strengthening the Value System for Economic Transformation in Kenya: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Values are important in laying the foundation for economic transformation in any economy. The study focused on the barrier constraining adherence to uptake of national values in the country and interventions towards strengthening the inculcation of national values. This study was carried out using a systematic literature review on ways to strengthen the values system to enhance economic transformation as envisaged in Kenya’s Vision 2030. The key barriers that limit inculcation of national values in the country were weak political institutions, political clientelism, impunity and lawlessness, ethnic exclusion, inequality; weak social capital and accountability; gaps in economic development characterized by inequalities and unemployment; gaps in performance of oversight role of legislators and in low sense of national identity and patriotism; limited information, research and evidence to inform policy on inculcation of national values; inadequate funding of devolution; and weak implementation of planned development activities. Interventions towards enhancing the national value system include the following. a) Strengthening political institutions including the legislature, political parties, electoral bodies, civil society and the media in mainstreaming values. Enforcement of the Public Participation Bill of 2018; developing appropriate monitoring tools to curb political clientelism; and building capacity for legislature on fiscal management; b) Enhancing social capital and accountability through active citizenry participation in decision making, especially for the marginalized groups and ensuring leaders promote good governance. c) Creating a conducive economic environment by reducing vertical and horizontal inequalities, encouraging marketing agencies to use patriotic marketing information and educational materials, facilitating trade fairs and cross-cultural inter-county activities; and addressing youth unemployment; d) Reducing cost of justice through reduced court fees, construction of more courts in devolved units and hiring of more judges to reduce case backlogs and increase education or awareness campaigns on matters of rights among Kenyans; and e) Build capacity of counties to develop sustainable mechanisms for Own Source Revenue generation and collection in line with specific counties’ resources and capabilities, while ensuring equitable resource distribution across the country.