The Role Of Leadership Communication On Crisis Management In The Oil Industry In Kenya

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of leadership communication on crisis management in the oil industry in Kenya with a special focus on Sinai fire tragedy. The study was anchored on two theories; the attribution theory and the situational crisis communication theory. The target population of this study was staff working at Kenya Pipeline Company; Ministry of Mining and Petroleum officials and the Sinai residents. Purposive sampling and convenience sampling were used to select Sinai residents to participate in the study. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to generate data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented in form of graphs and tables while qualitative data was presented through thematic narratives. The study established that communication competencies are considerably one of the most important management inputs in most corporate entities and in terms of communicating to the public. A major challenge and dissatisfaction among the Sinai residents was evident. The need to have effective leadership style was found to be 90% in shaping the public’s expectations on the organisation. The findings of the study revealed that the best way to approach the media is for oil industries to embrace honesty as the best policy practice by disclosing all the necessary information since transparency creates trust. The study concludes that the main contributions to the Sinai disaster were mainly linked to poor crisis management strategies that were employed by the Kenya Pipeline Company. For a continuous and perpetual positive coexistence of the company and the residents, there is need to enforce proper Corporate Social Responsibility strategies. The study recommends that the government should institute and install measures to curb disaster occurrences in companies like the Kenya Pipeline Company. Further, strategies to curb disasters should be enacted from within the parliament. The study further recommends that future research should focus on the efficacy of a multi-stakeholder approach in defining policies that guide disaster preparedness to ensure that roles are defined and to promote accountability.