Factors affecting recruitment and selection of staff in local authorities (Case of County Councils in Kericho County)
Abstract
This study sought and established the factors affecting recruitment and selection of staff in Kericho and
Litein county councils. The importance of proper recruitment and selection were as follows first it helped
in shaping an organizations effectiveness and performance. It also forms a core part of the central activities
underlying human resources management namely the acquisition, development and reward of workers. It
also avoided undesirable costs for example those associated with high staff turnover, poor performance and
dissatisfied customers. Lastly the managers would be less distress in dealing with suitable employees.
The broad objectives of the study were the factors affecting recruitment and selection of staff in Kericho /
Litein county council. The specific objectives were:- to find out how comprehensive career development
system affects recruitment / selection of staff, it examined the effect of recruitment policy or legislation
on recruitment and selection of staff, it established the extent to which job specification and description is
a factor to recruitment and selection and found out how human resource planning affected recruitment and
selection of staff.
The study benefitted various groups which included the government especially the ministry of local
government for the purposes of policy making. It will also benefited HR managers and staff activities
others who benefitted were the stakeholders of local authorities who would know how their county has
been undertaking recruitment and selection. The study alerted the academic about HRM issues and
warranted further research and lastly the findings of the study added to the existing body knowledge in the
field of HRM.
The study adopted a descriptive design to allow for the collection of a large amount on data. The
population of the study was composed of all the employees of the two councils. These employees
comprised of top management, middle level management and lower cadres staff. The sample was drawn
from the population through stratified random sampling and the sample size consisted employees. Primary
data were collected using questionnaire were self administered. Data collected were checked for
completeness and consistency before analysis is done. Data were analyzed through descriptive analysis.
The findings were presented in the form of frequency distribution, tables, bar graphs and pie charts.
At the end of the study, the researcher established that policy / legislation policy, job description and
specification, comprehensive career development system and HR planning affected recruitment and
selection of staff of Kericho and Litein town councils. The findings of the study were discussed and
interpreted on the basis of the research questions. Further conclusion was drawn from the findings and
finally recommendations were made for future replicative research.