EFFECTS OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PROCESS ON ACCESS TO WATER IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Strategic management process is an important management discipline and practice that has transformed many organizations to perform better. The stages involved in this process are basically strategy formulation, implementation and strategic control. This study specifically focuses on effects of strategy formulation as a first step on water supply in Kisumu County Kenya . The specific objectives of the study were ;to find out the effects of strategy formulation on water supply In Kisumu County and ,to make recommendations for best practices in the light of findings. Kisumu County was selected as the venue of the study due to the problem of water in spite of its location next to a fresh water lake . the study used a mixed method research approach with concurrent triangulation design . The study target population was 205 respondents .Out of this a sample of 134 was selected using both stratified and purposive sampling. Questionnaires and document analysis were the main methods of data collection. the instruments were validated through expert vetting and reliability ascertained through piloting . The results indicated that there was a positive significant relationship between strategy formulation and access to water and it was recommended that the mission statement should identify various purposes of the organization under which the organization is registered and that the mission should highlight key stake holders ,markets, products and major systems of production. Further it is recommended that the main objectives of the organization should be supported by complementary objectives that assist sourcing of inputs, production process and distribution of outputs, in this case water. KEY WORDS: Strategic management, Strategy formulation, Supply of water.