STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE OF THE NYANDARUA COUNTY ASSEMBLY, KENYA
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE OF THE NYANDARUA COUNTY ASSEMBLY, KENYA
Muigai Lucy Wambui - Post Graduate student: School of Business Kenyatta University, Kenya
Elishiba Muthoni Murigi (PhD) - Lecturer, School of Business Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Performance in the public sector, which includes the Nyandarua County Assembly, is to ensure a constant flow of service delivery, accountability, and socio-economic development. As a major legislative unit, the County Assembly plays an important role in making laws, overseeing the government, and delivering public representation. Nevertheless, delays in legislative processes, including the low rate of passing bills and laws, and inadequate oversight of the County Executive, have caused stakeholder complaints to increase. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of strategic planning on the performance of the Nyandarua County Assembly. Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was adopted. A primary data methodology was adopted using a closed questionnaire for data collection. Questionnaires were administered to 103 sampled employees and elected officials of the Nyandarua County Assembly, yielding a response rate of 94.2%. Data collected was coded and entered into SPSS version 25 software and analyzed quantitatively to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The study revealed that strategic planning (Beta = 0.341; p = 0.000; p < 0.05) had a statistically significant and positive effect on organizational performance of the Nyandarua County Assembly. The regression model (R = 0.843; R² = 0.711) indicated that strategic planning, together with other strategic management practices, explained 71.1% of the variation in performance. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended that the Nyandarua County Assembly should institutionalize formal strategic planning cycles involving broad stakeholder participation, align strategic plans with County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), and conduct regular reviews of strategic plans to reflect changing governance priorities and community needs.
