Management of Operational Properties:a Case Study of Church Properties in Nairobi.

Abstract

The management of operational properties in Kenya has tended to focus more on custodial services offered and less on the effectiveness and efficiency. Current management practice and research however require that the management function of real estate be emphasized no matter the category of organization involved. It was on this basis the research attempted to investigate the approaches used by church organizations in managing their property assets and find out whether they are effective and efficient. Being exploratory in nature, the study necessitated the identification of the various facilities available within the church premises and the various features essential to effective management in the existing literature. Six property management functions were identified as key to effective management. These main functions are; space management, maintenance management, risk management, space marketing, finance and record keeping and service procurement. The study survey was carried out in five mainstream churches situated in Nairobi in order to come up with viable conclusions that can be generalized to all churches and for comparison purposes. These churches included the All Saints Cathedral church, the St. Andrews PCEA church, the Nairobi Central Seventh Day Adventist church, the Nairobi Baptist church and the Nairobi Pentecostal church.