Good Governance in Oromia: Challenges and Strategies (Major Cities in Arsi and East Shewa zone in focus, Ethiopia)

The main objective of this study was to identify the level of good governance with respect to its founding pillar elements in Oromia Arsi and East shewa zone selected urban cities. The key elements of good governance considered in the study were accountability, transparency, participation, responsiveness, control of corruption, operational effectiveness and efficiency, equity building and inclusive, and consensus orientation,. The study followed a survey and focus group discussion. The data were collected from four selected cities that in Adama, Asella, Batu, and Shashemenne. Analyses were based on primary data generated through structured questionnaire for each key elements of good governance. Focus group discussion was also conducted with selected informant groups. Descriptive analyses were specified to identify the current practice of good governance. The focus group discussion data were subject to thematic analyses and triangulated with the findings from survey analyses. The pillars of good governance such as: accountability, participation, responsiveness, responsibility, efficiency and effectiveness, equity and consensus orientation, elements observed at low level within the selected city administration. Top priority problems were identified for respective cities. Fraud with respect to land administration and project authorization are among the top source of corruption. The study proposed pre-symptom actions and after symptom actions to curb corruption and establish good governance within the city administration.