EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT PRACTICES AND STAFF RETENTION IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN KENYA

Authors

  • Nailah Owando Travolta Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Author
  • Dr. Kibiru Karanja Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Author

Keywords:

Employee Empowerment Practices, Staff Retention, Digital Empowerment, work life balance

Abstract

The general objective of the study is to examine the relationship between employee empowerment practices and Staff Retention in Nairobi City County Government in Kenya. The specific objectives was as follows; To establish the effect of digital empowerment on Staff Retention in Nairobi City County Government in Kenya and to find out the effect of work life balance on the Staff Retention in Nairobi county government in Kenya. The study was anchored on the following theories namely; Psychological Contract Theory and Social Learning Theory. The focus of this study was the staff members of Nairobi County government in Kenya. The study adopted stratified sampling technique in selecting participants which was used to sample 384 respondents This study used а structured questionnaire as data collection tool to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The research utilized an adopted questionnaire as the data collection tool to ensure that the questions were appropriate for the study. A pilot test was done in order to examine the requisite requirements that are necessary for the study. Data analysis was undertaken in two methods by use of SPSS. First, descriptive statistics was undertaken which involved computation of means and standard deviations for observations about variables, and thereafter inferences was drawn on the outcome of this study. This chapter summarizes the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study, addressing its objectives. The findings reveal that digital empowerment, employee well-being, diversity and inclusion, and work-life balance significantly influence staff retention in the Nairobi City County Government. Work-life balance initiatives were appreciated, but many employees still felt pressured to work outside regular hours, indicating stress and imbalance. Correlation and regression analyses confirmed strong positive relationships between these factors and staff retention, emphasizing their importance in fostering a supportive work environment. Recommendations include enhancing digital skills training, expanding well-being programs, strengthening diversity initiatives, and refining work-life balance policies. Suggestions for further research include exploring additional retention factors, assessing the long-term impact of proposed strategies, and examining the needs of different employee demographics to develop more targeted retention approaches.

 

Key Words: Employee Empowerment Practices, Staff Retention, Digital Empowerment, work-life balance

Author Biographies

  • Nailah Owando Travolta, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

    Masters Student, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

  • Dr. Kibiru Karanja, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

    Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

References

Alipour, M., Salehi, M., & Shahbazi, M. (2023). Competency-based training and employee performance. *Journal of Workplace Learning, 35*(1), 34-49.

Astivia, O. L., & Zumbo, B. D. (2019). Conceptual frameworks in research: A review of the literature. *Journal of Educational Research, 112*(4), 439-451.

Awino, Z. B., Ireri, A. M., & Muriuki, J. K. (2023). Employee empowerment and job satisfaction in Nairobi City Countyin Kenya. *Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 13*(1), 1-15.

Bakker, A. B., & Demerouti, E. (2007). The job demands-resources model: State of the art. *Journal of Managerial Psychology, 22*(3), 309-328.

Gikunda, J. M., & Karanja, J. K. (2023). Employee empowerment and job satisfaction in Nairobi City Countyin Kenya. *Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 13*(1), 16-30.

Greenberg, J. (2022). Equity theory and employee motivation. *Journal of Management, 48*(1), 34-56.

Hurst, D. K., & Smith, K. A. (2017). Qualitative Research Methods in Management. In The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Methods in Health (pp. 134-152). SAGE Publications.

Ibrahim, A. M., & Akwenya, N. (2021). Influence of Employee Empowerment on Employee Retention in Public Service: A County Perspective in Kenya. Journal of Human Resource Management, 9(1), 1-10.

Jones, G., & Taylor, A. (2023). Work-life balance and employee outcomes: A review of the literature. *Journal of Applied Psychology, 108*(1), 14-25.

Kahn, W. A. (1990). Psychological Conditions of Personal Engagement and Disengagement at Work. Academy of Management Journal, 33(4), 692-724.

Kamau, C. W., & Mwangi, J. K. (2023). Transformational leadership and employee empowerment: A review of the literature. *Journal of Management, 49*(1), 109-124.

Kariuki, J K., Wandiga, E. N., Odiyo, W. O. (2022). The Mediating Effect of Psychological Empowerment on the Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Staff Retention in Microfinance Institutions in Kenya: The Asian Institute of Research Economics and Business Quarterly Reviews Vol.5, No.2, 2022: 105-123.

Kerlinger, F. N., & Lee, H. B. (2000). Survey research. . Foundations of behavioral research,, , 599-619.

Khan, S. U., Khan, M. A., & Ali, M. (2023). Employee empowerment and job satisfaction: A review of the literature. *Journal of Management, 49*(1), 125-140.

Kihara, J. K., & Gikunda, R. (2020). Employee Empowerment and Its Effects on Retention of Employees in the Public Sector: A Case Study of Nairobi County. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 10(3), 69-83.

Kumar, R., & Singh, R. (2023). Work-life balance and employee outcomes: A review of the literature. *Journal of Applied Psychology, 108*(1), 26-37.

Kumar, V., & Zafar, M. (2023). Self-directed learning and employee development: A review of the literature. *Journal of Management Development, 42*(1), 50-65.

Lee, J., & Kim, B. (2023). Self-development programs and employee outcomes: A review of the literature. *Journal of Management Development, 42*(1), 66-81.

Okwiri, S. M., & Orwa, D. O. (2020). The Influence of Employee Empowerment on Employee Retention in County Governments in Kenya. International Journal of Public Administration, 43(14), 1212-1224.

Oso, W. Y., & Onen, D. (2009). A general guide to writing research Project and report. . Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.

Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational Behavior (18th ed.). Pearson Education.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Understanding research philosophies and approaches. . Research methods for business students, , 4, 106-135.

Spreitzer, G. (1995). Psychological Empowerment in the Workplace: Dimensions, Measurement, and Validation. Academy of Management Journal, 38(5), 1442-1465.

Thomas, K. W., & Velthouse, B. A. (1990). Cognitive Elements of Empowerment: An 'Interpretive' Model of Intrinsic Task Motivation. Academy of Management Review, 15(4), 666-681.

Walumbwa, F. O., & Hartnell, C. A. (2011). Test of a 'Hybrid' Model of Leadership and Organizational Learning: A Study of Leader-Member Exchange, Empowerment, and Employee Retention. Journal of Business Research, 64(11), 1157-1165.

Downloads

Published

2025-04-22

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

EMPLOYEE EMPOWERMENT PRACTICES AND STAFF RETENTION IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN KENYA. (2025). International Journal of Management and Business Research, 7(1), 91-109. https://grandmarkpublishers.com/index.php/IJMBR/article/view/88