Analysis of Organizational Factors Influencing Staff Performance in Devolved Government in Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors affecting staff performance in devolved government. The study was based on the below objective: to find out the effects of politics on performance of staff, at Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Meru County Assemblies. This study was modelled by human capital theory, Adams (1963). This study used a survey study research design. The target population was all the 183 staff members of the Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Meru county assemblies, in the 9 departments. All the workers were purposively sampled for the study. The study utilized a questionnaire for the staff. The content validity of the instruments was ascertained with the help of the research supervisor. Before the actual data collection the researcher piloted the instruments using a test-retest technique and tested the results using Cronbach alpha method. The field data was cleaned by checking for any missing or inaccurate data and correcting it appropriately. After data cleaning, the quantitative data was coded and entered in the computer for analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 for windows. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish if there was relationship and the nature of the relationship. Qualitative data obtained from the interview was analysed and discussed thematically. This data was used to reinforce the quantitative findings, and to elaborate on the concepts obtained. Quantitative analysis entails analyzing numbers about a situation by choosing specific aspects of that situation. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data obtained. The study established that the level of staff training had an influence on their performance in the county assemblies in the skilled sectors of their jobs. However, the study concludes that the politics had a negative influence on the staff work performance in the County Assemblies, where the politicians tried to dictate their ways and wills to the workers of the county assemblies, through their influence. The Honourable Speakers of the respective county assemblies should ensure that there is minimum political interference. The top management of the county assemblies should be taken for leadership trainings on the emerging issues in the management sectors and the devolved governance.