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Aid on Whose Terms?

Attari, Emelie LU (2025) SIMZ11 20251
Graduate School
Abstract
Abstract

This thesis aims to examine the development cooperation between Sweden and Kenya, focusing on how aid is used, the norms and values Sweden seeks to promote, and the potential consequences for Kenya’s political and institutional independence. Using a qualitative research design, the study is based on secondary sources, including academic literature, government reports, and reliable databases, with perspectives from Swedish, Kenyan, and international contexts. The thesis presents a theoretical framework combining Alexius and Vähämäki’s (2020) governance perspective with Browning’s (2007;2023) concepts of normative power and soft power, in order to analyse the intersection between shared development goals and donor-driven agendas.... (More)
Abstract

This thesis aims to examine the development cooperation between Sweden and Kenya, focusing on how aid is used, the norms and values Sweden seeks to promote, and the potential consequences for Kenya’s political and institutional independence. Using a qualitative research design, the study is based on secondary sources, including academic literature, government reports, and reliable databases, with perspectives from Swedish, Kenyan, and international contexts. The thesis presents a theoretical framework combining Alexius and Vähämäki’s (2020) governance perspective with Browning’s (2007;2023) concepts of normative power and soft power, in order to analyse the intersection between shared development goals and donor-driven agendas.
The thesis presents empirical examples from the Private Sector Collaboration (PSC) model together with the 60 bilateral projects identified through Openaid. It also examines Sweden’s role in the Kenya Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and the Expert Group for Aid Studies’ (EBA) evaluation of anti-corruption support, in order to demonstrate the dual nature of aid. On one hand, it aligns with Kenya’s development priorities, contributing to capacity building and institutional strengthening. On the other, it introduces governance frameworks and normative agendas that shape priorities through reporting requirements and eligibility criteria, which in turn favour “proper organisations” and potentially limit local ownership.
Furthermore, the analysis shows that Kenyan actors such as Miti Mingi and Mazingira actively adapt Swedish models to local contexts, but within donor-defined parameters, which in turn illustrates tensions between local autonomy and donor control. The study concludes that Swedish aid functions both as a tool permeated by negotiation and as a relationship marked by mutual interests. (Less)
Popular Abstract
Popular Science Summary

Sweden and Kenya have had long-standing development cooperation. This thesis examines how Swedish aid is used in Kenya, presenting the values and priorities that Sweden seeks to promote. It also addresses how this affects Kenya’s ability to make its own political and institutional decisions. The study further presents concrete examples, including public–private partnerships, and investigates parts of the more than 60 bilateral projects listed in the Openaid database. It also analyses Sweden’s role in a large UN-administered fund, as well as how Sweden supports anti-corruption efforts in Kenya.
The thesis includes a theoretical section presenting Alexius and Vähämäki’s (2020) governance perspective alongside... (More)
Popular Science Summary

Sweden and Kenya have had long-standing development cooperation. This thesis examines how Swedish aid is used in Kenya, presenting the values and priorities that Sweden seeks to promote. It also addresses how this affects Kenya’s ability to make its own political and institutional decisions. The study further presents concrete examples, including public–private partnerships, and investigates parts of the more than 60 bilateral projects listed in the Openaid database. It also analyses Sweden’s role in a large UN-administered fund, as well as how Sweden supports anti-corruption efforts in Kenya.
The thesis includes a theoretical section presenting Alexius and Vähämäki’s (2020) governance perspective alongside Browning’s (2007;2023) concepts of normative power and soft power. These theories are then used to analyse where shared development goals and donor-driven agendas diverge.
The findings show that Swedish aid plays a dual role: on the one hand, it contributes to achieving Kenya’s own development goals, such as improved healthcare, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. On the other hand, it also conveys Swedish values such as democracy, gender equality, and anti-corruption, while using reporting rules and requirements that can make it more difficult for smaller local organisations in recipient country Kenya to secure funding.
Kenyan organisations are, however, not passive. They adapt Swedish ideas to meet local needs, even if they must operate within the parameters set by donor country Sweden. This creates a complex relationship in which both parties benefit from the cooperation but also face challenges in balancing local ownership with donor control. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Attari, Emelie LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
“Norms, Trust, and Power in the Sweden–Kenya Partnership"A qualitative analysis of the Swedish aid in Kenya.
course
SIMZ11 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Keywords Swedish aid, Kenya, Governance, Donor norms, Norm transfer, Local ownership, Power relations, Aid effectiveness.
language
English
id
9211162
date added to LUP
2025-09-19 13:35:18
date last changed
2025-09-19 13:35:18
@misc{9211162,
  abstract     = {{Abstract

This thesis aims to examine the development cooperation between Sweden and Kenya, focusing on how aid is used, the norms and values Sweden seeks to promote, and the potential consequences for Kenya’s political and institutional independence. Using a qualitative research design, the study is based on secondary sources, including academic literature, government reports, and reliable databases, with perspectives from Swedish, Kenyan, and international contexts. The thesis presents a theoretical framework combining Alexius and Vähämäki’s (2020) governance perspective with Browning’s (2007;2023) concepts of normative power and soft power, in order to analyse the intersection between shared development goals and donor-driven agendas.
The thesis presents empirical examples from the Private Sector Collaboration (PSC) model together with the 60 bilateral projects identified through Openaid. It also examines Sweden’s role in the Kenya Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and the Expert Group for Aid Studies’ (EBA) evaluation of anti-corruption support, in order to demonstrate the dual nature of aid. On one hand, it aligns with Kenya’s development priorities, contributing to capacity building and institutional strengthening. On the other, it introduces governance frameworks and normative agendas that shape priorities through reporting requirements and eligibility criteria, which in turn favour “proper organisations” and potentially limit local ownership.
Furthermore, the analysis shows that Kenyan actors such as Miti Mingi and Mazingira actively adapt Swedish models to local contexts, but within donor-defined parameters, which in turn illustrates tensions between local autonomy and donor control. The study concludes that Swedish aid functions both as a tool permeated by negotiation and as a relationship marked by mutual interests.}},
  author       = {{Attari, Emelie}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Aid on Whose Terms?}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}