The Quest for Socioeconomic Development in Kenya: A Review of The Impact of Public Infrastructure on The Voyage

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XI, November 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Quest for Socioeconomic Development in Kenya: A Review of The Impact of Public Infrastructure on The Voyage

Vincent Cheruiyot Kirui¹, Dr. Paul Kipyegon Sang^2
1Ph.D. Student, School of Business, Department of Management Science, Kenyatta University, Kenya
²Ph.D., Lecturer, School of Business, Department of Management Science, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Abstract
This study is focused on “The impact of public infrastructure on sustainable socioeconomic development in the context ofCoexistence and Shared Common Future; Transport and Communication; Creativity and Social Innovation; Living Standards and Social Equity”. The paper highlights the merits and the challenges that diminish the stakeholders’ expectations. The methodology used in this study is an in-depth review of existing literature on the roles of public infrastructure on socioeconomic reforms from various parts of the world. The study established that reliable, adequate and quality infrastructure (transport, energy, water and telecommunication) attract FDIs which in turn help in revitalizing economic strides. Oil and wind exploitation infrastructures in Northern Kenya provide local communities with employment opportunities, water, electricity and improved transport. Increased pollution in oil-sites proximities also featured in the findings as a retrogressive impact. This paper also adds to the available literature a more expanded concept of public infrastructure-Socioeconomic nexus that can encourage a holistic model of studying socioeconomic development in the context of the dynamics of the global geo-political system. It places the agenda of socioeconomic development to the affinity of the governance structures to public infrastructure.
Keywords: Public infrastructure, Socioeconomic Development, Coexistence and Shared Common Future, Transport and Communication, Creativity and Social Innovation, Living Standards and Social Equity

1.0. Introduction

1.1. Background of the Study

The World Economic Situation & Prospect-WESP, (2019) envisioned that infrastructure plays a critical role in the transformation of global economy. The call to the least developed countries (LDCs) is to invest strategically on socioeconomic reform assets: rural infrastructure development; improved management of public resources and social protection programmes; supportive education and employment policies. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) within 44 years has evolved from a subsistence economy into an innovation-driven economy characterized by a high-mass consumption society (Pedro A., 2016). On the new path to economic strides, the Chinese’s investment share of economic activity became biased and increasingly drifted the focus on infrastructure and heavy industry translating into real output of 9.6 per cent per annum GDP measured in constant prices, a remarkable growth by any standard (Garnaut, R., et al., 2018). The noticeable ascent in performance of Africa economies is an inference to good macroeconomic policies, progress in structural reforms especially in infrastructure development and generally sensible policy frameworks (ADB, 2018).
Through the Kenya’s Strategy Paper (CSP) 2014-18, the government articulate the intents of job creation based on: Enhancing physical infrastructure to foster all-inclusive socioeconomic

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