Factors influencing performance of forest rangers in Kenya forest service: A case of Embu county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate factors influencing performance of Forest Rangers in Kenya Forest Service: A case of Embu County, Kenya. The objectives of this study were; To determine how Scheme of Service of Forest Rangers influence the performance of Forest Rangers, to identify how Training and Development of Forest Rangers influence the performance of Forest Rangers, to ascertain how Working Environment of Forest Rangers influence the performance of Forest Rangers, to establish how Leadership styles of Forest Rangers influence the performance of Forest Rangers and to investigate how Communication style influence the performance of Forest Rangers. This study was pursued in the context of the Forest Rangers‘ motivations and perceptions to participate in Forest protection. By accessing the ‗human factor‘ hereby interpreted as ‗motivation‘ in forest protection the Independent variables were: Scheme of service of Forest Rangers and Forest Rangers work performance, Training and development of Forest Rangers and Forest Rangers work performance, Working Environment of Forest Rangers and Forest Rangers work performance, Leadership style of Forest Rangers and Forest Rangers work performance and Communication Style to Forest Rangers and Forest Rangers work performance as these influence the Forest Rangers‘ perception towards forest protection. The study was grounded on human behavior and motivation theories. The findings of the study were: A positive correlation relationship was found to exist between the factors that influence performance of Forest Rangers and the performance of Forest Rangers. This infers that Training and Development has the highest effect on the performance of Forest Rangers, followed by Leadership styles, Communication Style, Working Environment and Scheme of Service in that order on Performance of Forest Rangers. A descriptive research design was used to achieve the study‘s objectives. A descriptive survey was also conducted where One County Coordinator, One Zonal Forest Manager, Four Foresters and Thirty Forest Rangers working in Embu County were interviewed through a self administered questionnaire. A content analysis and descriptive analysis were employed to analyze the collected data. The content analysis was used to analyze the respondents‘ views. Tables were used to present the collected data for ease of understanding. The study recommended the enactment of a National Forest Policy which will spell out how Forest Ranger training should be structured so as to achieve the objectives laid out in the policy. This will see to it that sufficient criteria is applied in the selection of Instructors for training assignments at the KFC-Paramilitary wing as the quality of Forest Ranger training depends largely on the aptitude and experience of these Instructors. The results of the study will be beneficial to the KFS policy makers and in particular those in the Enforcement and Compliance Division to improve on the Forest Rangers‘ output at work.