Antecedents of Stakeholder Engagement on Implementation of County Integrated Development Plans in Kenya: A Case of Nakuru County Government

Abstract

Abstract The implementation of County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) in Kenya is pivotal for achieving sustainable development; however, ineffective stakeholder engagement in Nakuru County has led to project delays, budget overruns, and a reduction in quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of stakeholder engagement antecedents on the implementation of CIDP in Nakuru County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to examine the influence of stakeholder assessment, resource mobilization, communication, and decision-making on CIDP implementation, guided by Stakeholder Theory, Resource-Based Theory, Social Exchange Theory, and Systems Management Theory. A correlational research design, employing a quantitative approach, was adopted to identify relationships between these antecedents and CIDP outcomes. The target population consisted of 258 stakeholders involved in CIDP implementation, including county officials, administrators, and elected representatives. A sample of 78 respondents was selected through purposive and stratified random sampling to ensure proportional representation across roles. Data was collected using structured questionnaires on a 5-point Likert scale, administered via a drop-and-pick method, and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression in SPSS Version 29. Findings revealed significant positive effects of stakeholder assessment (β = 0.438, p = 0.000), resource mobilization (β = 0.224, p = 0.021), communication (β = 0.204, p = 0.012), and decision-making (β = 0.279, p = 0.024) on CIDP implementation, collectively explaining 82.8% of the variance (R² = 0.828). Stakeholder assessment had the strongest impact, suggesting that a one-unit increase enhances CIDP implementation by 0.425 units, followed by decision-making (0.270 units), resource mobilization (0.245 units), and communication (0.185 units). The study concluded that these antecedents are crucial for effective CIDP implementation, underscoring the importance of robust stakeholder engagement strategies. Recommendations include policy frameworks to enhance stakeholder consultations, resource coordination, digital communication platforms, and streamlined decision making processes. Future research should investigate specific engagement barriers, the role of technology in resource and communication strategies, and the long-term impacts across Kenyan counties to develop scalable governance models. Limitations include potential respondent bias from self-reported data and a focus on Nakuru County, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other contexts.