Challenges of strategic plan implementation: a case study of the Kenya roads board

Abstract

This is a study of Kenya Roads Board (KRB). KRB is a state corporation mandated to oversee the road network and thereby coordinate its development, rehabilitation and maintenance funded by the KRB Fund and to advise the Government on all matters related thereto. The success of KRB has a direct impact on the performance of the Kenyan economy as infrastructure has been identified as a major catalyst to economic growth. The objective of the study was to identify the challenges that KRB has faced in the implementation of its strategic plan. The data for the study was collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected through personal interviews while secondary data was collected through review of documents within the organization. The study established that KRB has an elaborate strategic planning process and has developed two strategic plans (2003-2008) and (2008-2013). The Board of Directors and all staff are involved in setting the vision, mission, objectives and strategies of the organization. However, KRB faced some challenges in the implementation of its strategic plan, major of which was monitoring of the implementation process and coordination of activities across departments. On the basis of the above findings, it is recommended that KRB puts in place a monitoring system to ensure there is an early warning system if the implementation is not going according to plan. The harmony between departments should be improved by clearly defining their roles and responsibilities.