STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE PRACTICES AND PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY IN KENYA: A CASE OF MINISTRY OF HEALTH HEADQUARTERS
Abstract
Effective strategic governance significantly impacts public service delivery, particularly in health care. Strategic governance aligns political, social, and economic objectives, creating a structured basis for setting organizational goals, developing strategies, and monitoring performance. This study used a descriptive approach guided by the Resource-Based View, Stakeholder, and Stewardship theories to examine how strategic governance practices influence service provision at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Nairobi. A stratified random sample of 318 individuals, drawn from 1,560 residents and managers, completed structured and unstructured questionnaires. Reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s Alpha (>0.7). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including correlation and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. Findings indicate that public service delivery is positively and significantly influenced by organizational structure and resource allocation. Correlation analysis showed organizational structure (r = 0.230, p = 0.000) and resource allocation (r = 0.662, p = 0.000) strongly associated with service delivery, whereas stakeholder collaboration (r = 0.256, p = 0.027) was positive but not statistically significant. Regression analysis revealed a high explanatory power (adjusted R² = 0.768, R = 0.883), with organizational structure (β = 0.724, p = 0.000) and resource allocation (β = 1.198, p = 0.000) significantly predicting public service outcomes. Stakeholder collaboration (β = 0.155, p = 0.547) was not significant. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health continually review its organizational structure to clarify roles and responsibilities. Future research should explore broader strategic governance dimensions and their effects on institutional performance across other government ministries in Kenya.
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