--- title: "Government Trustworthiness Affected by Private Partnerships" url: https://newscentral.site/government-trustworthiness-affected-by-private-partnerships/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-15T21:00:11.000Z updated: 2026-10-16T00:39:57.967Z id: fc24d023-e6e8-4482-9990-e31bf91d71ec source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-10-digital-platforms.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/government-trustworthiness-affected-by-private-partnerships/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Government Trustworthiness Affected by Private Partnerships A study on Kenya's county governments found that highlighting the role of private organizations in developing public service platforms can decrease trust in local government. A growing number of individuals worldwide have expressed distrust in their governments, a trend observed in various regions including Latin America, North America, and Africa over recent decades. This decline in trust has significant implications for governance, as it can hinder efforts to implement policies that require public cooperation. Researchers from the MIT Governance Lab and Busara, a behavioral science organization, conducted a study to explore how partnerships between governments and trusted private organizations can influence public perceptions of government trustworthiness. Their investigation focused on Kenya's county governments, which collaborated with a telecommunications company to establish an online public service platform. The researchers surveyed residents in and around Nairobi, finding that highlighting the role of the telecommunications company in developing the portal increased users' willingness to access the platform. However, this emphasis also led to a decrease in respondents' trust in their local government. Studies have shown that low levels of trust in government can have far-reaching consequences, including lower compliance with laws and regulations, reduced tax payments, decreased voter turnout, and lower vaccination rates during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues are particularly concerning as they can exacerbate social problems and undermine efforts to address them. The findings from this research, published in a recent issue of Government Information Quarterly, have implications for understanding how government digitization initiatives and partnerships with technology companies impact public trust. The Kenyan government has been working to improve its digital presence, but despite these efforts, public trust remains a concern. A 2023 survey revealed that only about four in ten people trusted their government, with corruption and poor service delivery contributing to this lack of faith. Kenya's 47 county governments have taken steps to address this issue by partnering with Safaricom, a highly respected telecommunications company, to create an online portal called My County Hub. This platform allows citizens to access various services, including emergency assistance, business permit applications, and parking payments, as well as receive information from the government. The researchers behind the new study used the My County Hub portal as a case study to examine how digital platforms can influence public trust in government. They conducted an online survey of over 11,000 participants, instructing them on how to access the portal and its various services. The survey also asked respondents about their initial level of trust in the county government before being informed about My County Hub. Some participants were told that both the county government and Safaricom were responsible for the portal, while others were given different information about who was behind it. This varied approach allowed researchers to gauge how people's perceptions of accountability and responsibility might impact their trust levels, with potential implications for government digitization initiatives and partnerships with technology companies. The researchers behind this study explored how different approaches to presenting digital platforms can impact people's trust levels in governments. They found that when participants were informed about a public-private collaboration, they tended to express more faith in government overall. This increased trust was not necessarily transferred from the private partner, Safaricom, to the government. In fact, people who learned about the partnership did not display higher levels of trust in government compared to those told only that the government was responsible for the platform. Interestingly, when individuals were made aware of the partnership between Safaricom and the government, their willingness to use the digital portal increased. However, this boost in usage intentions came at a cost: these same people expressed lower levels of trust in government relative to those who knew only about the government's involvement. The study suggests that people may view private sector entities like Safaricom as doing the work of governments, which could erode faith in the latter's competence. This phenomenon is particularly relevant given the increasing role of private companies in public service delivery through digital platforms. In exploring how trust is built and maintained in government-digitization initiatives, researchers are gaining valuable insights into what factors contribute to increased confidence in institutions. By examining the dynamics at play, policymakers can better design effective strategies for fostering trust and improving public engagement with digital services. Emphasizing the role companies play in developing digital services may encourage people to use these services initially, but it could ultimately erode their confidence in government over time. This is a concern for policymakers looking to foster trust and improve public engagement with digital platforms. Interestingly, the study found that individuals who already have high levels of trust in government are more likely to use My County Hub in the future. Conversely, long-term trust in government appears to be crucial for effective service provision. When people were informed about the partnership between Safaricom and their local government, they tended to see an increase in trust if they initially trusted both organizations. However, those who distrusted their government but trusted Safaricom saw a decrease in trust. Research has shown that pre-existing trust levels significantly influence how trust changes during digitization efforts. Future studies could focus on developing strategies for building trust through digital services among individuals who already distrust the government. Researchers have found that digital platforms can play a crucial role in rebuilding trust between citizens and their governments in Kenya. By introducing innovative e-government services and messaging systems, these platforms can help to increase transparency and accountability, which are essential for fostering public trust. The success of such initiatives relies on careful design and implementation, taking into account the specific needs and concerns of local communities. Future studies could focus on developing strategies for building trust through digital services among individuals who already distrust the government. Effective approaches will require a nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between technology, governance, and public perception. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-digital-platforms.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/government-trustworthiness-affected-by-private-partnerships/