Effects of Strategic Determinants on Implementation of County Annual Development Plans among County Governments in Kenya. A Case of Selected Kenyan Counties

Abstract

Kenya devolved governance, which is in massive transition, has devoted substantial efforts in developing strategic county annual development plans. However, the county governments are paying less attention on implementation of these viable plans. Despite a considerable research on implementation of strategic plans, the Kenya county government lack substantial empirical literature to guide in establishing strategic determinants informing implementation their plans among Kenya counties. So immediate analysis was appropriate for assessing these strategic determinants, hence this study. This study used descriptive survey research design with it is target population being the 531 officers actively involved in implementation of county annual development plans and particularly; county executive officers, administrators, and members of county assemblies from Kajiado Kiambu, Machakos and Nairobi counties. A sample size of 228 respondents was determined using Yamane formula; who were selected using stratified proportionate random sampling. The data was collected using questionnaire pre-tested for reliability and validity. Quantitative technique was exploited to yield descriptive statistics while ordinal logistics regressions was employed in assessing the relationships between strategic determinants and plans’ implementation. The study concludes that at 0.05 level of significance, there is a statistically significant effect of each of; strategic leadership characteristics, organizational resources, organizational culture and organizational structure on implementation of county annual development plans among County Governments in Kenya. The study recommends for the counties to review strategic leadership policies manage their organizational resources effectively, rethink their organizational cultures, and energise their organizational structures.