Challenges in strategy implementation at the Electoral Commission of Kenya(ECK)

Abstract

The study contained in this report investigated the challenges faced by Electoral Commission of Kenya in the Strategy Implementation. It also established the measures taken by the ECK to handle the challenges taking in to account that the process of strategy development started far back in 2004. The data used to analyze the report was obtained from the Commissioners, senior Managers, District Election Coordinators and Clerks. The analysis was per the content in the questionnaires. The secondary data also was obtained from the ECK pamphlets, similar booklets and were analyzed to conclude the report. The result of the study indicated that the ECK has faced various challenges in its Strategy Implementation Process. The key areas of challenges are mainly organization structure which the study indicates are week resulting in conflicting roles between the Commissioners and the Secretariat Staff. There are various gaps in the systems and procedures which impeded the efficiency of the Commission in processing the clientele. The same applies to culture and tradition and policies and rules. It was established from the study that the Commission in this day and age is not fully equipped technologically to handle its tasks efficiently and effectively. This was found to be very costly in terms of time and money because of the delays involved. The study also establishes that there are inadequacies in leadership to steer the process of Strategy Implementation. This according to study was compounded by lack of competent human resource equipped with skills to handle the challenges. Finally, the study also established that the ECK does not have in place reward and support systems to motivate personnel who are involved in one way or the other in realizing the strategy implementation process. The funding element which for so long has been pegged to the discretion of Treasury makes the Commission incapacitated whenever a project of this nature is being undertaken. It was therefore revealed that a campaign to pass a bill that will make the ECK budget be passed by Parliament to make it obtain financial independence is paramount. In this regard, it is recommended that a further research be conducted in the Commission to bring out the necessary steps taken to implement strategic plans and the level of its progress. This should cover even other Constitutional Offices in Kenya and help in the comparison to establish their performance in the Strategy Implementation Progress.