Whether in a democratic or non-democratic system, public trust is a fundamental component
for the survival and development of any political system. Using a comprehensive
representative survey, this study examines and assesses the factors influencing public trust in
the Somali government. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire completed by
354 Somali residents in Mogadishu. The data were examined using a quantitative structural
equation modeling approach with SmartPLS 4. Additionally, our analysis of the study findings
revealed that the quality of public services, Participation in government, and Transparency all
have positive and significant effects on public trust in government; in contrast, citizen
satisfaction with police services has a negligible impact on public trust in government.
However, citizens believe in and trust their governments regarding responsiveness, top-notch
public services, and government openness. As a result, citizens fulfill their obligations honestly
and fairly. By identifying the factors influencing public trust in the government, this study
contributes to the empirical knowledge base used to develop targeted and practical initiatives
to enhance public trust.