Strategic planning and implementation practices at the Kisii county government in Kenya

Abstract

Strategic planning and implementation is an integral component of the strategic management process and is viewed as the process that turns the formulated strategy into a series of actions and then results to ensure that the vision, mission, strategy, and strategic objectives of the organization are successfully achieved as planned The aim of this study was to ascertain strategic planning and implementation practices at the Kisii county government in Kenya. The researcher collected qualitative data from the County secretary, Deputy Speaker, County Development Officer (CDO) and county executives. The total number of targeted respondents was 10 and the researcher managed to interview 7 of the respondents. The study was a case study of Kisii County in Kenya. The data was collected through face to face interviews with the respondents. It was revealed that Kisii County has a number of challenges that can be solved through proper strategic planning. The County has a well stated vision and mission that focus on the country’s vision 2030. Stakeholders such as the electorate, the county executive, professional and civic leaders are involved in the strategic planning and implementation process. It is also clear that financial and human resources are the main resources that are required in the implementation of the strategic plan. The main challenge in strategic planning and implementation is financial constraints. The study reveals that the county has made significant steps towards the strategic planning process. Among the notable strategic planning activities that the county government has done is to conduct citizen surveys. The essence of the citizen surveys was to collect views and the situation as it were on the ground in order to determine the most immediate needs of the citizens in the county. This was aimed at assisting the county government to be able to come up with long and short term strategic plans for implementation purposes. The findings indicate that policy roundtable discussions were also conducted in order to discuss various issues that needed to be addressed in the strategic plan for the county. The study further reveals that the county strategic plan was also given to civic leaders as well as professionals and academic and community leaders for scrutiny and review. The purpose of this undertaking was to enable the county involve its people in developing its strategic plan. It was clear from the study that the Kisii County strategic plan is based on Kenya’s Vision 2030. The strategic plan developed own content based on the vision. The respondents revealed that there are a number of issues that are covered under the Kisii County strategic plan. The plan clearly elaborates the county plans on social and economic transformation within the county; development of infrastructure to facilitate service delivery; provision of reliable energy in order to assist in the development of manufacturing sector in the county; to improve science and technology and innovation; to conduct land reforms in the county; to engage in the development of human resources and provision of efficient and effective public service; promotion of tourism activities in the county and promotion of manufacturing activities in the county in order to provide employment opportunities to many unemployed young people. The County has a well stated vision and mission that focus on the country’s vision 2030. Stakeholders such as the electorate, the county executive, professional and civic leaders are involved in the strategic planning and implementation process. It is also clear that financial and human resources are the main resources that are required in the implementation of the strategic plan.