A Dissertation Submitted in Partial/Fulfilment of the Requirements for the
Award of the Degree of Master of Public Administration (MPA) of Mzumbe
University
Despite many years of government’s efforts, years of improving public service
delivery, Tanzania is still facing poor or lack of accountability in its civil service, and
this has tremendously affected public service delivery. This study sought to find out
the reasons for the persisting poor accountability. The study used a case study
approach and it opted Kinondoni municipal council as its focus of study. The study
was guided by three specific objectives, namely; to determine civil service
accountability practice in Tanzania’s public sector, determine factors hindering
effective implementation of accountability practice in Tanzania public sector and to
determine ways of improving accountability in Tanzania civil service. Also the study
employed both theoretical and conceptual framework, where in theoretical
framework the study was guided by the Agency theory to explain the principal-agent
relationship of the group or individual, and in conceptual framework the study
conveys both independent variables which are standards/benchmark of performance,
means of evaluation, rewards and sanction, compliance to legal framework, hierarch
reporting and delegation of authority and power and depended variable which is
effective accountability. Both secondary and primary data were used and for primary
data some 115 respondents were selected randomly and purposively. Questionnaire,
interview and focused groups were used as means of data collection. For secondary
data, the study relied on documentary review, especially official documents and
some related literature. The study found that, accountability in civil service in
Tanzania operated through various systems such as imposing reward/sanctions
basing on one’s performance, hierarchical accountability, benchmark of performance,
power and authority delegation, professional bodies and through various regulations
and rules. These systems were there to ensure effect accountability during civil
service delivery to the citizens. It was concluded that, for effective accountability in
civil service in Tanzania, the government should ensure that all its entities practice
good practices which embrace and enhance effective accountability. Those good
practices contributing to effective accountability must be mainstreamed in the legal
framework and made well-known to all civil servants. Failure to enact law and
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regulations governing accountability in civil services, poor performance and poor
service delivery will never come to an end. It is recommended that government
through its policy makers should review all laws and regulations, policies and
seculars governing accountability in civil service from local government to central
government in order to check the validity of the legislations on ensuring effective
accountability. Those proved to be weak, government through its policy makers
should propose immediately amendments on the legislations. Also government
should introduce means to ensure legislations governing accountability in civil
service are properly and effectively enforced and measures are taken to those who
fail to enforce them.