Financial Accountability Mechanisms for Transparency in the Management of Educational Funds in Kajiado County

Purpose: This study examines the influence of public participation on the management of educational funds in Kajiado County, Kenya. Specifically, it investigates how financial accountability mechanisms enhance transparency in the management of educational funds, with a focus on the role of the Board of Management, stakeholder engagement forums, and the distribution of educational resources. Methodology: The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, drawing data from educational institutions, community members, and key stakeholders in fund management. The target population included 1,200 individual. To ensure representativeness and diversity of views, stratified random sampling was employed. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify trends and determine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Qualitative data, obtained through interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis, were subjected to thematic analysis to extract key patterns and contextual insights related to policy implementation and accountability practices. Findings: The results indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between the role of the Board of Management and the effective management of educational funds in Kajiado County (correlation coefficient = 0.783, p-value = 0.004). Consequently, the null hypothesis was rejected. The findings reveal that Boards of Management enhance fund oversight through improved transparency, community-aligned decision-making, and strengthened financial accountability. Enhanced monitoring mechanisms such as regular reporting, audits, and stakeholder communication further support efficient utilization of resources toward infrastructure, learning materials, and learner and teacher support. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: This study enriches public finance and governance scholarship by demonstrating how participatory governance and accountability mechanisms contribute to improved educational fund management at the county level. It highlights the centrality of community engagement and transparent decision-making in strengthening trust and ensuring efficient resource utilization. Practically, the study proposes reinforcing reporting frameworks, feedback systems, and monitoring tools as critical components for sustainable educational resource management in decentralized governance settings.