Effect of Policy Network Collaboration on Public Policy Process Outcomes in the Road Transport Sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Policy networks approach has gained prominence among scholars due to myriad complex problems in public policy processes and management. Yet, many policies are designed and implemented without meaningful participation of citizens particularly through the informal institutions of policy networks. Despite its vital role in allowing different stakeholders to come together, share their expertise and knowledge, and work to create effective solutions to public policy issues many public making processes seems to have considered policy network collaborations to low extent. Furthermore, other benefits of policy network collaborations such as allowing different perspectives to be heard and considered leading to more informed and effective public policy. Considering that, this study interrogated the effect of policy network collaboration on public policy process outcomes in the road transport sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
 Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 470 policy actors in the road transport sector within Nairobi City County out of which 407 were purposefully sampled to respond to the questionnaire and 45 were sampled to participate in focused group discussions as well as key informant interviews. The sampling approach adopted was a purposeful sampling procedure. A mixed methodology was adopted whereby both quantitative and qualitative data was collected through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focused group discussions. The quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics that is mean, frequencies and percentages as well as regression analysis. On the other hand, qualitative data was analysed through thematic analysis and reported in a narrative format.
 Findings: The findings established that the level of policy network collaboration involving but not limited to information sharing, cooperation and agreement in road transport sector within Nairobi City County, Kenya was very high which was associated with a positive and significant effect on policy process outcomes.
 Recommendations: The study recommends the policy makers and stakeholders in the transport sector in Nairobi City County to develop a shared understanding of the public policy process, increase transparency and communication in the process, encourage cross-sector collaboration, utilize technology in enhancing collaboration as well as develop a culture of trust in the policy making process as a way of improving policy network collaboration.