Strategic Change Management Practices and Challenges at Kenya National Audit Office

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish the challenges faced by Kenya National Audit Office in managing strategic change and determine strategic change management practices adopted by Kenya National Audit Office. The research was conducted through a case study and in-depth interviews with senior officers concerned with strategic change management at Kenya National Audit Office using an interview guide and data analyzed using content analysis. Lack of adequate funding, inadequate multi-disciplinary officers, high staff turnover, low staffing levels, low morale as a result of poor remuneration, communication breakdown, inadequate transport to carry out assignments in the field, unfavorable working conditions, lack of implementation of recommendation made in audit reports, and lack of involvement of all staff in the strategic change implementation were some of the challenges faced by KENAO. KENAO has strategic change management practices like; ensuring every officer gets a laptop/computer, internet connectivity and intranet to improve on communication, employment of multi-disciplinary officers like lawyers, engineers, environmental specialists to enhance quality of audit reports and also extensive training. With the change process it has been observed that there is improved staff morale, increased work productivity, less stress, low involvement in drug and alcohol abuse, few medical claims, enhanced organizational public image, timely audit reports, increased staff self-development especially by going back to school, and few legal cases between the office and the clients.