Browsing by Author "Otieno, Joshua Michael Daniel"

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    Dynamics and Complexities of Forming the Executive Office: Analysis of Kenya’s Cabinet 1963 – 2018
    (American Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 2018) Otieno, Joshua Michael Daniel; Muna, Wilson
    For any government, formation and selection of executive office is influenced by myriads of factors and considerations, defined by both national and global dynamics. Although the Constitution of Kenya (CoK, 2010) offers guiding principles on design of the Cabinet, its current formation and structure remains under contention. This study analyzed; ethnic, gender, size, and individual dynamics that have informed the structure and organization of the Kenyan cabinet. A survey of executive office of the president staff and knowledge experts in politics, public policy and administration was carried out. Semi structured questionnaires were employed and interviews conducted to collect data. This was complemented by secondary data from published books, journals, and archival government documents. The study found that (1) politics in Kenya is highly ethnicized and the most significant determining factor in the making of cabinet; (2) Majority of communities remain historically marginalized and are not represented in the cabinet; (3) Gender parity in cabinet is hampered by strong cultural attitudes on gender roles and the low political influence of women as an electorate. Attitudes of male superiority were found to be prevalent and their leadership preferred; (4) that on average, although cabinet has highly educated members, most of them have not been professionally matched to their respective ministerial portfolio. The study findings could be of interest and benefit to policy makers towards understanding and creating policies guiding organization and structure of government. Ethnicity being a significant feature of Kenyan politics we propose cultivation of diversity towards ‘real’ inclusivity by equitable national resource distribution.
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    Environmental Determinants of Organization and Structure of Kenya’s Cabinet
    (Kenyatta University, 2018-09) Otieno, Joshua Michael Daniel
    In any government, the constitution of line ministries and selection of Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) is influenced by key ecological factors that include: social, political, economic, cultural, legal, historical, and to an extension global. This is espoused in the Contingency Theory. Although the Constitution of Kenya (CoK) 2010 offers guiding principles on design of the Cabinet, its formation remains in contention. The following external environmental factors for the purposes of this study were considered: regional/ethnic diversity, cabinet size, gender mainstreaming, and individual competence and professionalism. The study focussed on understanding the factors that determine the creation and reorganization of Cabinet ministries. Although a few studies on the same exists focused on the developed countries, there is limited empirical evidence in this area of study in Kenya. Also, there is a gap in empirical tests on organizational theory particularly with respect to the relationship between the organization and its environment. The study used descriptive design to provide a record of the characteristics of the phenomena of the organization and structure of the Kenyan Government. The target population in this study was 256 comprising of staff from the Cabinet Affairs Office and institutions with expertise in the field of public policy and administration. A sample size of 45 was purposively selected from this target population, 30 being officials in committees charged with the creation and reorganization of Kenya government ministries and those with the insight in the selection of Cabinet Secretaries. Fifteen (15) were respondents drawn from institutions with expertise in the area of public policy and administration for balance and objectivity. The study used both primary and secondary data. Self-administered semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect the research data. The questionnaires were used to collect data from the Executive Office of the President staff and knowledge experts from select institutions were interviewed. The data collected was coded thematically and thereafter analysed. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and guided by research objectives and questions. The emerging themes were politics, resource management, inclusivity, and meritocracy. The findings indicate that regional/ ethnic diversity considerations have the greatest influence on the organization and structure of Kenya’s Cabinet as the country’s politics is ethnicized. Resource management considerations are to be made in relation to the size of government. Gender mainstreaming is still a challenge due to poor implementation, cultural attitudes and the women’s political inactivity. Solutions should be crafted with this in mind. There is need for meaningful public participation for transparency and accountability in Government.