STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN KENYA: A CASE OF MARKET PROJECTS IN TANA RIVER COUNTY
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN KENYA: A CASE OF MARKET PROJECTS IN TANA RIVER COUNTY
Mathias Mulangi - Student, Masters of Arts in Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Edna Jemutai Moi - Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
County-funded projects are critical for the growth and development of local communities. The performances of market projects have a significant impact on the economic growth of Tana River County. Despite the socio-economic benefits of market projects in Tana River County, market projects still face performance issues. According to Auditor General's report a significant number of market projects in the county have been stalled or delayed therefore the study sought to assess the influence of governance practices on performance of market projects in Tana River County. Specifically, the study sought to assess the influence of strategic planning practices on the performance of market projects in Tana River County. The study was anchored on the stakeholders’ theory. The study adopted descriptive research design. The unit of analysis was 6 market projects while the unit of observation was 1 municipal manager, 2 projects managers, 3 projects engineers, 1 CEC trade, 1 chief officer trade, 1 director trade, 1 CEC finance, 9 budget committee members and 500 traders from 6 market projects in Tana River County. Since the target population for municipal manager, projects managers, projects engineers, CEC trade, chief officer trade, director trade, CEC finance and budget committee members is manageable the study adopted census technique to incorporate all the 19 officers. For the traders the study used Slovin’s formula to sample 222 traders. Questionnaire was used to collect data from municipal manager, projects managers, projects engineers, CEC trade, chief officer trade, director trade, CEC finance and budget committee members. Interview schedule was used to collect data from traders. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Descriptive statistics involved the use of percentages, frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistic involved the use of correlation analysis. After analysis quantitative data was presented in form of tables and bar charts while qualitative data was presented in pros form. Form the analysis the researcher revealed that strategic planning facilitates effective resource management by identifying resource requirements and allocation strategies upfront. The study recommended that the county government authorities should strengthen strategic planning practices by developing long-term plans for market development, incorporating community needs, market trends, and economic factors.
