The Effect of Strategic Planning on the Delivery of Devolved Services in Selected Counties in Kenya

Fauziya Brek Karama ,Mike Iravo ,Assumptah Kagiri ,Noor Ismail Shale

doi:10.7176/ppar/9-10-05

Abstract

Devolution is an enabler for development and empowers counties to deliver government services to its citizens. Kenya aimed to improve resource distribution and project allocation by taking away most of these decisions from the long-standing central government. Majority of the counties are still slower in the implementation of the social project. As a result, most people are yet to feel its devolution impacts. Thus, this aim of the paper was the effect of strategic planning on the delivery of devolved services in selected counties in Kenya. This was informed by resource based theory. The study has adopted explanatory design. The study targets a population of 35,444 staff from 8 counties. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. Findings showed strategic planning had a significant and positive effect on devolved service delivery. The study concludes that strategic planning creates the framework that enhances devolved service delivery. Particularly, it increases coordination, decision making and information exchange at the county level. Therefore, there is a need for the county governments to prepare plans and budgets. It is crucial for stakeholders to be involved in strategic planning in the county. Efforts should be directed towards carrying out SWOT analysis on areas of weakness and strength. Keywords: Strategic Planning, Devolved Service Delivery, County Governments DOI : 10.7176/PPAR/9-10-05 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Highlights

Various benefit of devolution to the political stability and development in the countries have been highlighted in developed countries including the US, most countries in Europe, Scandinavia and Africa, and India (Omari, Kaburi, & Sewe 2012)
Results on Strategic Planning Strategic planning is key in enhancing communication channels at the county levels and it increases coordination, decision making and devolved service delivery
This could be detrimental to service delivery since the county governments lack the adequate knowledge on the areas they need to capitalize on and those that need urgent attention

Summary

Introduction

Various benefit of devolution to the political stability and development in the countries have been highlighted in developed countries including the US, most countries in Europe, Scandinavia and Africa, and India (Omari, Kaburi, & Sewe 2012). It is evident that devolution is not always a success, in Philippines and Latin America, there was a significant failure of the system of government to an extend that the health sector was severely compromised and other developed functions. Strategic planning creates frameworks that enhance communication channels in the organization and increase coordination, decision-making and performance management It further establishes protocols for the interactions between the various stakeholders and creates opportunities for the improvement of service delivery and process efficiencies (Martin, 2003). Lawrence and William (2014), recognizes strategic planning as the core function of any management worth its salt because of the long-term flexibility and agility it provides As such, it improves an organization’s capacity and ability to manage its resources and performance more effectively, increasing its effectiveness and impact. It further helps counties in developing knowledge and experience from the learning curves that come from the pursuit of long terms goals and visions

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Conclusion