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    Operational Practices Influencing the Implementation of Budgets among Selected County Governments in Kenya
    (African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2026) Mwanzia, Mary; Rutto, Bill; Makau, Godfrey K.; Kabau, Tom
    Since the advent of devolution in 2013, Kenya has operated a two-tier government system where both national and county levels share a common public financial management architecture. However, a persistent performance gap exists: while the national government achieves an 80.76% absorption rate for development expenditure, county governments average only 34.4%. This study investigated the institutional, administrative, and managerial factors influencing budget implementation in selected county governments. The study evaluated the influence of four core operational practices finance, procurement, control, and ICT on budget implementation. Theoretically grounded in Principal-Agent Theory, Institutional Theory, and Public Choice Theory, the study employed an explanatory research design, supported by descriptive elements, within a pragmatist philosophical framework. The target population included 29,978 executive staff across six counties: Nakuru, Kericho, Narok, Baringo, Kajiado, and Uasin Gishu. Using stratified and purposive sampling, 217 high-level officials were selected, achieving a 79% response rate. Multiple Linear Regression analysis revealed that Operational Finance Practices were the only factor with statistically significant positive effect on budget implementation (β = 0.119, p < 0.05), while procurement, control, and ICT practices showed positive but insignificant relationships. The regression model explained 4.6% of variance in implementation outcomes. The study recommends strengthening regulatory compliance in financial operations, integrating procurement planning with budget objectives, proactive risk management, and full adoption of IFMIS and e-procurement tools. A legislative amendment to the Controller of Budget Act is proposed to mandate verifiable evidence of prior fund utilisation before new disbursements.
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    The Moderating Effect of Institutional Culture on The Relationship Between Operational Practices and Budget Implementation in Selected County Governments in Kenya
    (Stratford peer reviewed journals and book publishing, 2026) Mwanzia, Mary; Rutto, Bill; Makau, Godfrey K.; Kabau, Tom
    Development budget absorption remains inadequate despite robust legal frameworks such as the PFM Act (2012), the Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (2015), and the Controller of Budget Act (2016). This study examined the moderating effect of institutional culture on the relationship between operational practices and budget implementation in selected county governments in Kenya. Institutional culture is conceptualised as a behavioural and normative context distinct from formal operational practices, shaping how such practices are implemented and enforced. The study was grounded in Principal–Agent Theory, Institutional Theory, and Public Choice Theory. An explanatory research design, supported by descriptive elements, was adopted within a pragmatist philosophical framework. The target population comprised 29,978 county government personnel drawn from six counties: Nakuru County, Uasin Gishu County, Kericho County, Kajiado County, Narok County, and Baringo County. From this population, a purposive and stratified sample of 217 officials directly involved in budget execution was selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis through the IBM SPSS Statistics package. The findings revealed that organisational culture had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between operational practices and budget implementation in the selected county governments. Organisational culture measured in terms of leadership, teamwork, and ethics significantly strengthened the influence of operational practices on budget implementation outcomes (β = 0.238, p = 0.000). The study highlights the oversight role of the Office of the Controller of Budget under Article 228 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and the Controller of Budget Act, 2016.