Strategic Management Practices and Service Delivery in Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Service delivery in Turkana County has been affected by a number of issues such as shortage of skilled workers in the county. The study looked at how strategic leadership, strategic formulation, strategic implementation, strategic evaluation and control affect service delivery in Turkana County. Quality service delivery should be a priority in Turkana. Turkana residents should experience the fruits of devolution and this can be done by giving them better services. Turkana is the poorest county among the 47 counties in Kenya. 88% of the people in Turkana live below the poverty level compared to 45% nationally. Illiteracy in Turkana County is high. Only half of school age children are enrolled in primary school. Food security is a problem in Turkana County. The study sought the relationship between strategic practices and service delivery in Turkana County. The study specific objectives were to find out how strategy formulation, leadership, strategy implementation, strategy evaluation control influence service delivery in Turkana County. The study was anchored on agency theory; resources based theory and the contingency theory. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The population of interest in research was the employees of Turkana County government. The target population for this specific study was 1007 employees in County head offices at Lodwar town. This research adopted stratified sampling technique. The sample size that was used was 108 employees. The researcher used closed ended and open-ended questionnaires as the research instrument to collect data. Face and content validity were used to test the research instrument validity. Face validity looked at the representation of the data collection instrument at face value and if it was a good instrument. This study will be helpful to Turkana County; it will be in a position to review its preposition so as to make crucial decisions that in the end will bring forth development. This study found out there exist a positive relationship between strategic management practices and service delivery in Turkana County. It was established that Turkana County does practice delegation. The study also revealed that employees are engaged in strategy formulation process by management of Turkana County. Public participation is effective since public are not actively engaged by the county of Turkana. Findings from the study show that there exists effective communication during the strategy evaluation and control processes. This study recommends training opportunities to be availed to all employees in top, middle and lower level management of Turkana for them to handle their task diligently and more effectively. A strong internal control system was also recommended. This will aid in achieving the county’s strategies. Turkana County should also consider having partnership with other stakeholders. This may aid the county in achieving its goals and objectives.