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

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