Thesis:

The implementation of succession management programmes on quality of service: a case of county government of Meru

Succession management enables organizations to identify, develop, and retain talent, ensuring that the successor is familiar with the responsibilities and expectations of the higher-level positions. This study aimed to assess the implementation of succession management programmes on quality of service in public service in the County government of Meru, Kenya. Succession management programmes involve activities such as, management training programmes, employees’ mentorship programmes, job rotation programmes and leadership development programmes. Therefore, the specific objectives of this study was to assess the relationship between management training programmes and quality of service in the County government of Meru; to investigate the effect of employees’ mentorship programmes on quality of service in the County government of Meru; to examine how job rotation programmes affects the quality of service in the County government of Meru and to find out how leadership development programmes affects the quality of service in the County Government of Meru. The study employed stratified random sampling to select sample from each department. The target population were 290 senior staff in the County Government of Meru out of which 168 formed the sample size. Descriptive survey design was used in developing an understanding of the relationship between study variables and data was collected with aid of questionnaires. The target population consisted of staff in the county government of Meru. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to measure reliability of the instruments. Additionally, content validity was sought from the supervisor and experts in governance and administration. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) tool for descriptive statistics aided in analyzing quantitative data. The study found strong positive correlation between management training programmes, mentorship programmes, job rotation and leadership development programmes and quality of service (r = 0.762, 0.707, 0.802, 0.869) respectively. The study concluded that, implementation of succession management measures had a significant influence on quality of service. The study recommended enhancement of leadership development programmes, Job rotation, management training programmes and mentorship programmes in succession management plans so as to maintain and enhance the quality of service.