Challenges of Strategy Implementation in the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme

Abstract

Strategy implementation is the process of transforming strategic intentions into actions, then into acceptable results. The objectives of this study were to (i) identify the challenges of strategy implementation and (ii) identify the solutions adopted in response to those challenges at the Kenya Education Sector Support Program (KESSP). The research design was a case study on KESSP. The findings of this study indicated that strategy implementation was affected by poor allocation of resources, lack of consensus between parents and the government on the concept of cost sharing, lack of employee commitment and organisational culture regarding the aspect of decision making. Mismatch between strategy and structure, connection of strategy formulation and implementation and communication gap were not identified as challenges of strategy implementation in the KESSP. The implication of this study is that policy makers in the education sector under the KESSP, the World Bank and DFID and other main financers of this programme will have to consider resource allocation, consensus among stakeholders, employee commitment and organisational culture to be in line with strategy implementation for the programme strategy to be successfully implemented in future. The study has added to the body of knowledge and ignited the need for further research especially looking into development arising in the education sector. This study recommends that in future, allocation of resources should be in line with the strategy to be implemented; consensus among stakeholders and employee motivation should be considered before implementation of the strategy. There is also need to do more research on other sectors in order to get a broader view on the challenges to strategy implementation.