INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: A STUDY OF WORLD BANK INTERVENTIONS IN KENYA

Abstract

International organizations like the World Bank have been supporting reform initiatives in developing countries for decades now. Various authors have criticized this support, arguing that international organizations use their influence to impose common models of government on developing countries, infringing on the sovereignty of these nations and frustrating domestic processes of finding and fitting government structures to local contexts. Some suggest that a modern new public management model of government is being imposed on developing countries, whereas others asserted that developing countries are being forced to adopt a broad-brush neoliberal script. Kenya is emerging and transforming politically and economically after 50 years of independence marked by mixed political and economic performance. The initial period of rapid growth to the mid-1970s was followed by a period of stagnation until the turn of the millennium, and then modest growth over the last decade. While Kenya has the potential to be one of Africa’s best-performing economies, the country has been following, not spearheading, Africa’s growth momentum. The overarching challenge Kenya is facing today is to generate economic growth that is more inclusive in order to more effectively reduce poverty across the country. Despite persistent challenges, Kenya’s prospects for success are promising: the country has the largest economy in East Africa, with a significant potential to further capitalize on regional markets and strengthen its position as the region’s economic powerhouse.