Effects of Policy Network Type on Public Policy Processes Outcomes in the Road Transport Sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Transport sector in Nairobi City County is characterised by a myriad of challenges related to policymaking process. While studies have sought to establish the link between various policy network issues and policy process outcomes, the role of various policy network types has not been given much attention. This is despite its important role of connecting government actors, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders involved in policy-making to help facilitate an effective, efficient, and inclusive policy-making process. This study sought to establish the effect of policy network type on public policy processes outcomes in the road transport sector in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
 Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive 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 effect of policy network type on policy process outcomes was determined to be positive and significant. It was established that various policy network types in road transport sector within Nairobi City County, Kenya strongly determined policy process outcomes.
 Recommendations: The study recommend policy makers in the transport sector to adopt policy networks which have a clear a clear chain of command and clear decision-making authority, adopt policy networks characterized by multiple decision-makers who share decision-making authority as well as those characterized by characterized by multiple decision-makers who are geographically dispersed. There is also a need for policy makers in the transport sector to adopt policy networks characterized by characterized by a dynamic structure that changes over time in response to different circumstances.