STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION PRACTICES AND SERVICE DELIVERY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENS SERVICES IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Main Article Content

PHIDELIMA NDINDA MUSYOKA
PAUL WAITHAKA, PhD

Abstract

The Department of Immigration and Citizen Services (DICS) in Nairobi City County, Kenya, continues to experience service delivery challenges that affect individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders who depend on efficient immigration services. This research study sought to analyze the effects of strategy implementation practices on service delivery with particular attention being placed on resource allocation, leadership support, stakeholder engagement and organizational structure. The research was grounded on the principles of Stakeholder Theory, the SERVQUAL Model, Systems Theory and the Resource-Based View Theory. Descriptive research methodology was used to conduct the research involving a sample of 304 respondents drawn from a population of 1,260 employees of the department. Structured questionnaires were used in data collection while analysis was done through descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that the four strategy implementation practices positively affected service delivery. Leadership support had the highest contribution (β = 0.772), followed by resource allocation (β = 0.670), stakeholder engagement (β = 0.637), and organizational structure (β = 0.632). Based on the above findings, it can be concluded that the implementation of an effective strategy is crucial in enhancing service delivery within the field of immigration, specifically via proper leadership, allocation and distribution of adequate resources, stakeholder involvement, and organizational structures that facilitate coordination and accountability. Proper leadership is especially important since it helps provide strategic direction and assist in the effective implementation of other organizational activities. Based on the above recommendations, it is recommended that the Department implement needs-based resource allocation and training for its employees, improve its methods of consulting stakeholders, and reform its organizational structure in order to foster delegation, coordination, accountability, and decision-making.

Article Details

Section
Articles
Author Biographies

PHIDELIMA NDINDA MUSYOKA, Student, Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Student, Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya

PAUL WAITHAKA, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Lecturer, Department of Business Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya

References

Akinloye, A. O., Chanceline, K. E., & Putuma, M. M. (2022). An analysis of citizen satisfaction with public service delivery in the Sedibeng District Municipality of South Africa. International Journal of Social Economics, 39(3), 182–199.

Ambetsa, O. M., Kadima, M. J., & Miroga, J. (2022). Strategic planning and service delivery in the water department in the County Government of Kakamega, Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 9(2), 348–361.

Aubert, B. (2023). Customer education: Definition, measures and effects on customer satisfaction [Doctoral dissertation, Newcastle University].

Barsky, J. D. (2022). Customer satisfaction in the hotel industry: Meaning and measurement. Hospitality Research Journal, 16(1), 51–73.

Bertalanffy, L. von. (1955). General systems theory. Main Currents in Modern Thought, 11, 75–83.

Chiwawa, N., & Wissink, H. (2024). Effective strategy execution for enhanced service delivery in South African municipalities. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, 12(1), a741.

Diis, A. H., & Kiiru, D. (2024). Strategy implementation practices and performance of the National Transport and Safety Authority in Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 11(1), 539–558.

Directorate of Immigration Services. (2025). Establishment of the department. Directorate of Immigration Services

Freeman, R. E., & McVea, J. (2001). A stakeholder approach to strategic management. In M. A. Hitt, R. E. Freeman, & J. S. Harrison (Eds.), The Blackwell handbook of strategic management. Wiley.

Gaitho, P. R., Bolo, Z. A., Ogutu, M., & Kitiabi, R. (2019). How organizational structure influence the relationship between strategic leadership and service delivery of devolved governments in Africa: The Kenyan case. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6(2), 286–295.

Ireri, E. N., Namusonge, G., & Nyang’au, S. P. (2022). Influence of devolved leadership structures on service delivery in county governments in Kenya. World Journal of Innovative Research, 13(3), 11–20.

Jashireh, A., Slambolchi, A., & Mobarakabadi, H. (2023). A literature review of service quality and customer satisfaction. Advanced Social Humanities and Management, 3(2), 1–12.

Kamurua, J. W. (2013). Effectiveness of strategy monitoring and evaluation at government ministries: A case study of the Ministry of Immigration, Kenya [Unpublished MBA project]. School of Business, University of Nairobi.

Kero, C. A., & Bogale, A. T. (2023). A systematic review of resource-based view and dynamic capabilities of firms and future research avenues. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 18(10), 3137–3154. DOI record

Kimutai, S. K., & Kwambai, M. (2022). Effect of stakeholder engagement on effectiveness of public universities in Kenya: Case of University of Eldoret. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 6(2), 524–536.

Kinyanjui, N. J., & Juma, D. (2014). Investigate the effect of strategic plans implementation on performance in Kenya’s public universities: A case study of the University of Nairobi. European Journal of Business Management, 2(1), 161–173.

Kolil, S., Ondiek, B. A., & Manyasi, J. (2019). The effect of leadership on service delivery in county governments in North Rift, Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 6(4), 443–451.

Makau, J. (2021). Influence of servant leadership on public service delivery. International Journal of Leadership and Governance, 1(1), 1–11.

Makau, J. M., & Thoronj, E. (2022). Influence of resource allocation on service delivery in Machakos Level Five Hospital. International Research Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 4(2), 5–12.

Mansoor, Z., & Williams, M. J. (2024). Systems approaches to public service delivery: Methods and frameworks. Journal of Public Policy, 44(2), 258–283.

Mathangani, P., & Sile, I. (2020). Customer care strategies on customer satisfaction in government agencies: A case study of Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies, 5(4), 7–13.

Mugure, M., Rintari, N., & Laititi, S. (2021). Effect of management structure on quality service delivery of mission hospitals in Meru County, Kenya. Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 6(3), 1–20.

Mumanthi, C. K., Mwihia, R. K., Kilika, J. M., & Mbugua, L. (2021). Designing organization structure for effective service delivery in public ecosystems in Kenya. The International Journal of Business & Management, 9(7), 8–12.

Murambi, D. N., & Bwisa, H. M. (2020). Service quality and customer satisfaction in public transport sector of Kenya: A survey of shuttle travelers in Kitale terminus. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 4(9), 402–409.

Mutambuki, D. M., & Kabui, A. C. (2022). Effect of resource allocation on service delivery by Water Works Development Agencies in Kenya. African Journal of Business Management, 16(7), 147–156.

Muthengi, J. M., & Misango, S. B. (2021). Organizational culture and structure as determinants of service delivery in the County Government of Kitui [Master’s project, South Eastern Kenya University].

Mutuma, M. N. (2023). Influence of shared leadership on service delivery by county government workers in Kenya [Doctoral dissertation, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology].

Mwanza, P. M., & Dar, J. A. (2025). The role of strategy implementation practices on performance of the public sector organizations. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, 13(1), a891.

Naikumi, E. P., Daniel, N., & Patrick, G. (2023). Effect of resource allocation on performance of Kenya Meat Commission. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, 10(10), 401–419.

Orina, K. B., Moronge, M., & Guyo, W. (2021). Stakeholder management strategies and service delivery in county governments in Kenya. International Journal of Recent Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, 10(3), 155–163.

Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Berry, L. L. (1988). SERVQUAL: A multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service quality. Journal of Retail, 64(1), 12–40.

Reddick, C. G., & Demir, T. (2024). Handbook of public service delivery. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Rhee, S. K., & Rha, J. Y. (2023). Public service quality and customer satisfaction: Exploring the attributes of service quality in the public sector. The Service Industries Journal, 29(11), 1491–1512.

Sawaneh, B. (2023). Success and impact of strategic plans implementation on public service delivery in The Gambia. Journal of Public Administration, Finance and Law.

Shigali, S. M., & Shitseswa, A. E. (2023). Effect of physical resource allocation strategies on public service delivery: A case of Vihiga County Government, Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research, 4(1), 256–264.

Thompson, A. A., Peteraf, M., Gamble, J. E., & Strickland, A. J. (2012). Crafting and executing strategy: Concepts and readings (18th ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Twum-Darko, M., Ncede, N., & Tengeh, R. K. (2023). Stakeholder engagement: A service delivery-based strategy formulation process in the public sector of South Africa. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 12(3), 109–121.

Un, M. B. (2021). Performance improvement and customer satisfaction as a focus of public service reform: Trends and challenges in Africa. Public Administration Quarterly, 25(3), 356–383.

Wabulasa, F., & Kihara, A. (2023). Strategy implementation practices and performance of humanitarian and development organizations. Journal of Business and Strategic Management, 8(2), 47–61.

Zinn, J. S., & Mor, V. (2023). Organizational structure and the delivery of primary care to older Americans. Health Services Research, 33(2 Pt 2), 354.