Effect of Policy Network Individual Actors’ Characteristics on Policy Process Outcomes in the Road Transport Sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Public policy making process in the transport sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya faces a myriad of challenges as reflected in the high failure rate of most of the policies. Often ignored are the characteristics of individual actors within a policy network which can have a major impact on the public policy process by shaping how the policy is framed, negotiated, and implemented. Considering the increasing challenges in the policy making process and considering the importance of individual actor’s characteristics in this process, this study sought to establish the effect of policy network individual actors’ characteristics on 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. 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 study established that characteristics of individual actors within a policy network can significantly influence public policy processes outcomes by shaping how the policy is framed, how it is negotiated, and how it is implemented.
 Recommendations: The study recommends a need to increase the influence of individual actors within the policy network by providing them with more opportunities, resources and necessary support to engage in decision-making processes. There is also a need for involved stakeholders in the policy making process in the transport sector in Nairobi City County to create a platform for individual actors to share their opinions, experiences, and perspectives on relevant policy issues. The study further recommends the involved stakeholders in the policy making process in the transport sector in Nairobi City County to provide resources and support to individual actors in order to strengthen their capacity and knowledge in policy making processes.