An Assessment of Factors Affecting Strategy Implementation in Devolved Government Units in Kenya: Case of Nairobi City County

Abstract

Devolution in Kenya was introduced with the promulgation of the constitution of Kenya 2010 with the main aim of enhancing service delivery to citizens, foster growth and development to all areas of the country and involves stakeholders in key government decisions affecting them and their areas; indeed, bring services and governance closer to the citizens. However, there has been instances of unsatisfactory service delivery and implementation of various programmes at the devolved government units which can be linked to strategy implementation problems. This study determined factors affecting strategy implementation in devolved government units in Kenya using a case of Nairobi City County in Nairobi. It was guided by four objectives: determining the effect of human resource on strategy implementation in devolved government units in Kenya; determining the effect of financing on strategy implementation in devolved government units in Kenya; determining the effect of Socio-cultural factors on strategy implementation in devolved government units in Kenya; and assessing the effect of stakeholders’ support on strategy implementation in devolved government units in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design on a sample of 162 respondents spread across all key functions in the County. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics where mean, standard deviation, frequency distribution and percentages represented the descriptive results while regression coefficients comprise the inferential statistics. The analyzed data was presented in tables and figures. From the results, human resources (p=0.029<0.05) significantly predicted strategy implementation in devolved governments in Kenya. Based on correlation results, financing (p=0.000<0.05) had significant influence on strategy implementation. Social-cultural (p=0.002<0.05) had significant influence on strategy implementation. Stakeholder support (p=0.000<0.05) had significant influence on strategy implementation. The study concludes that human resources have significant effect on strategy implementation in devolved governments in Kenya. Human resource greatly influences the strategy implementation. Finance influenced strategic plan implementation in devolved government by a great extent. Social-cultural factors had significant influence on strategy implementation. Social-cultural factors greatly influenced strategy implementation. Stakeholder support had significant influence on strategy implementation. Stakeholder support influenced strategy implementation to a very great extent. The study recommends that the top management of all counties in Kenya should ensure they put in place adequate measures and policies that improve human resources for better implementation of strategies. All counties in Kenya should improve on systems of local revenue collection so as to cushion a short fall in government disbursement. The executive leadership of all county governments in Kenya should factor social-cultural aspects in decisions relating to strategies their implementation. All counties should improve on relationship with key stakeholders (national government, donors, suppliers and clients) for effective implementation of strategies.