Influence of Strategic Leadership on Operation Efficiency of County Governments in Kenya: A Case Study of Baringo County

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the influence of strategic leadership on the operational efficiency of the County Government of Kenya: a case of Baringo County. The investigation was based on a study by Curteanu and Constantin (2010). This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was the 33 members of top management in the County Government of Baringo. The justification for the choice of the county Chief Officers and County Directors is that they are directly in charge of the implementation of the county government strategic plan and operations under their dockets. The researcher took a census of all the thirty-three members of top management (Chief Officers and Directors) by means of self-administered questionnaires. First, there was empirical evidence to prove that resource allocation influenced the operational efficiency of the County Government of Baringo. Secondly, it confirmed that there was empirical evidence to prove that integrity and ethical issues influenced the operational efficiency of the County Government of Baringo. Thirdly, the study established that strategic control influenced the operational efficiency of the County Government of Baringo. Finally, there was empirical evidence to prove that organizational culture influenced the operational efficiency of the County Government of Baringo. The study recommended that the office of the Auditor General should use the results from this investigation to update the management policy of the County Governments as a means of helping the County Governments to achieve more operational efficiency for optimal service delivery and optimized value for money in the County Governments in Kenya. Again, the study recommends that the County Assemblies, in their role of oversight and legislation, should also use the findings from the study to make laws that will enable the County Governments to enhance their performance and governance and be more operationally efficient. Such legislation should encompass resource allocations and internal control principles. Finally, County Chief Officers and County Directors, being senior managers charged with investment portfolios, are subject to fiduciary laws with strict requirements and controls. Therefore, the findings from this study are relevant to inform their undertaking.