A survey of factors influencing the implementation of strategies in Nairobi water and sewerage company in Nairobi county, Kenya

Abstract

Strategic management is. fundamentally about setting the underpinning aims of an organization, choosing the most appropriate goals towards those aims, and fulfilling them over time. In exploring factors affecting the implementation of strategies in Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, the study was to investigate specific objective regarding culture, training and competence, structure and change management on their effect to strategy implementation at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company. This public service, previously provided by Nairobi City Council was inefficient and riddled with many challenges. It was important to have some reforms due to these challenges. The aim of such reforms is to enhance operational performance of utilities to meet the growing demand of the essential service. Despite of all this, customer complaints are on the rise due to the lack of implementation of important strategies in the company. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The total staff population at the Head Quarter stands at 232 from which a sample size of 70 was chosen using stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaires which was administered by drop and pick method and late analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis, while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis. The results were presented using tables and figures for ease of understanding and interpretation. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) aided in the analysis. The results from the study have clearly indicated that the organizational structure and culture, effect of training of staff on strategic implementation and the effect of change management in the implementation of strategies affect implementation of strategies at Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company. It would be interesting to see how the NWSC has impacted the city for the years it has been in operation and what are the success factors and the challenges faced in light of strategic management as an area of further studies.