Effect of Employee Commitment on Performance of County Government Organisations in Kenya

Abstract

Employee commitment has increasingly been recognised as a fundamental determinant of organisational performance, including public sector institutions. This study examined the effect of employee commitment on the performance of county government organisations in Kenya. The study adopted pragmatic philosophy and a mixed research design with a target population comprising 1,190 County Executive Committee Members and County Chief Officers across 34 counties, from which a sample of 299 respondents was selected using multistage sampling (stratified random and purposive sampling). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and interview guide and analysed using SPSS to obtain both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show a significant and positive relationship between employee commitment and organisational performance (R = 0.514). This shows that committed employees ensure effectiveness in service delivery, efficiency in resource utilisation, and meeting the needs of those they serve. Results thus demonstrate that timely feedback, transparent communication, opportunities for career growth, employee engagement in decision-making, and recognition of contributions are necessary practises that strengthen commitment. These practises could be argued to cultivate a sense of belonging and motivation among employees, which in turn enhances service delivery, efficiency, and accountability at the county level. Thus, fostering employee commitment through inclusive leadership, transparent communication, recognition, and capacity building is essential for enhancing the performance of county governments and strengthening the success of Kenya’s devolved governance framework.