Challenges in strategy implementation at the Electoral Commission of Kenya(ECK)
Abstract
The study contained in this report investigated the challenges faced by Electoral Commission of
Kenya in the Strategy Implementation. It also established the measures taken by the ECK to
handle the challenges taking in to account that the process of strategy development started far
back in 2004. The data used to analyze the report was obtained from the Commissioners, senior
Managers, District Election Coordinators and Clerks. The analysis was per the content in the
questionnaires. The secondary data also was obtained from the ECK pamphlets, similar booklets
and were analyzed to conclude the report.
The result of the study indicated that the ECK has faced various challenges in its Strategy
Implementation Process. The key areas of challenges are mainly organization structure which the
study indicates are week resulting in conflicting roles between the Commissioners and the
Secretariat Staff. There are various gaps in the systems and procedures which impeded the
efficiency of the Commission in processing the clientele. The same applies to culture and
tradition and policies and rules. It was established from the study that the Commission in this day
and age is not fully equipped technologically to handle its tasks efficiently and effectively. This
was found to be very costly in terms of time and money because of the delays involved. The
study also establishes that there are inadequacies in leadership to steer the process of Strategy
Implementation. This according to study was compounded by lack of competent human resource
equipped with skills to handle the challenges. Finally, the study also established that the ECK
does not have in place reward and support systems to motivate personnel who are involved in one
way or the other in realizing the strategy implementation process. The funding element which for
so long has been pegged to the discretion of Treasury makes the Commission incapacitated
whenever a project of this nature is being undertaken.
It was therefore revealed that a campaign to pass a bill that will make the ECK budget be passed
by Parliament to make it obtain financial independence is paramount. In this regard, it is
recommended that a further research be conducted in the Commission to bring out the necessary
steps taken to implement strategic plans and the level of its progress. This should cover even
other Constitutional Offices in Kenya and help in the comparison to establish their performance
in the Strategy Implementation Progress.
Citation
MBASponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences