Strategic Planning Practices at Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company Limited

Abstract

Organizations wholly depend on the environment from which they obtain inputs and also discharge their outputs. For survival and success of an organization particularly in the long term it is necessary that the organization establishes a strategic fit as it interacts with the environment. The environment is generally ever-changing and organizations must adopt strategies that will constantly maintain the fit for it to succeed. It is with this objective that organization result to strategic planning.

This study is aimed at investigating and documenting strategic planning practices at the NCWSC. The data collection instrument used was unstructured questionnaire to allow for greater depth in responses through personal interviews. Government concern on water management can be traced to the 1970's through the formation of national water master plan.

The enactment of Water Act 2002 was the most comprehensive and modem document from the government. The water act 2002 created and gave clear powers to different bodies on water resource management in the country. Among other things the act requires that water and sewerage services be given separately from other services and the proceeds be used to improve and expand the service. The NCWSC was founded in 2004. Its mandate is to provide water and sewerage services to the city of Nairobi and its environs.

The company is owned by the City Council of Nairobi (NCC). The company inherited all assets and liabilities of what used to be the water and sewerage department of NCC. NCWSC started practicing strategic planning in 2005 with the establishment of the first business plan. This was soon after the top management had been changed with the installation of the board of management comprising of six functional directors headed by the managing director. Since then the intensity of the practice has been cascaded downwards and participants drawri from all levels of employees. '

Respondents were drawn from the top management who provided valuable information. The study concluded that NCWSC has in place strategic planning practice. There are effective administrative structures and communication systems that make the practice effective. There is a high sense of commitment by the key players who have their roles clearly defined. It is also evident that performance has improved as a result of the practice.