Strategic Planning Practices by Coast Development Authority in Promoting Regional Development

Abstract

Unbalanced regional development in Kenya has persisted over time even after the government implementing and experimenting with different macro and sectorial policies. The proportion of the population living below the poverty line has been increasing in the Coast and North Eastern Regions. Despite these development challenges, Kenya is richly endowed with natural resource base which should be harnessed to address the challenges. To address the regional disparities and other development challenges, the Government through the Ministry of Regional Development Authorities (MORDA) developed the Regional Development Policy (2007) that provided guidance for sustainable development by Regional Development Authorities (RDAs). The contribution of RDAs to balance regional development cannot be understated though the full potential of these institutions have not been convincingly realised. The project proposal therefore aims at analysing strategic planning practices by Coast Development Authority (CDA) in promoting regional development so as to establish effectiveness and success of such plans, their contributions to performance and challenges faced in implementing strategic planning. CDA has been employing both multi-disciplinary and multi-sectorial approaches with success depending on close collaboration amongst all implementing institutions and stakeholders. The study employed a descriptive study design in achieving its objectives. The target population was CDA staff where a sample of 50% was selected using stratified random sampling based on management category. The views of the sample population was collected by administering a questionnaire, undertaking interviews and making observations. The information and data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The results from the study are intended to inform the design of appropriate policies and measures as well as promote the use of existing ones in the promotion of regional development with a focus on the coast region.

Keywords: Strategic Planning, Regional Development, Sustainable Development.