Role of policy related interventions on ethical practice in Kenyan public service sector

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of policy related interventions on ethical practices in the Kenyan public service sector The specific focus of the study was the public service sector in Kenya. The study variables under investigation were laws and regulations, institutional framework, e-governance and public opinions. The research adopted a mixed research design. The design incorporated descriptive, quantitative, qualitative and cross-sectional research design. The research study used both primary and secondary data. The secondary data was obtained from various publications and the primary data was obtained from the public sector employees within Nairobi County through use of structured questionnaires. The target population was the three main aspects of civil service, namely the mainstream civil service, the county governments and the state corporations. The sample size for the study was 384 respondents who were selected through disproportionate stratified random sampling. The unit of analysis was developed from the three levels of management, that is strategic level, tactical level and operational level and the employees. The views and opinions of the selected sample lead to the study’s generalization. Primary data collection instrument used was the questionnaires while secondary data was obtained by the use of data collection sheet. A data collection sheet was prepared and used to collect data relating to corruption index. The structured questionnaires were self-administered to collect the required data. Questionnaires were subjected to pre-test in a pilot study. In addition, test for validity and reliability using Cronbach Alpha coefficient was done. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done on the computer using SPSS Version 22. The analysis employed mean and standard deviation and the presentation of analyzed data was done using tables. For the inferential statistics, the study employed Pearson’s correlation. This was critical in determining the relationship between the study variables. The analysis from the secondary literature reviewed that the four study variables, the policy related interventions namely laws and regulations, institutional framework, e-governance and public opinions are critical variables in relation to public sector ethical practices and therefore need for a detailed empirical study in this area and sector. The final analysis of collected data indicate that the four policy related interventions have significant role to play and influence on ethical practices in the Kenyan public service sector.