Factors Affecting Utilization of ICT in Public Organizations: A Case of Narok North District Headquarter- Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to establish the factors affecting the utilization of information communication technology- ICT in public organizations in Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish the effect of training of staff, cost of equipment, government policy, and organizational culture on the utilization of ICT in public organizations. The conceptual framework of the study was guided by the research objectives and literature review. The study was descriptive in nature using qualitative techniques. The target population was 234 staff composed of 24 heads of department, 30 supervisors, 120 operational workers and 60 support staff of the public service in Narok North district headquarters. A sample size of 70 representing 30% of the staff population selected using stratified random sampling and all of them were used in the study. Validation on the instruments was done by the supervisor and reliability was done through test re-test method on public service offices at Narok South district. The sample of respondents used in the pre-test was 7 (10%) of the selected sample size of 70 respondents and was not included in the final study. Data was collected by use of questionnaires which were selfadministered. The data was arranged, coded, then analyzed using frequency tables and percentages and presented in tables, pie charts and bar charts. From the results the study concluded that the factors affecting the utilization of ICT in public organizations are related to training, cost, government policy and organizational culture among others. From the demographic profile the results show that the respondents are gender balanced, majority of the officers are at the peak of their productive age bracket, well experienced, and most of them are post-secondary graduates. The researcher recommended that the government should promote ICT in education at all levels by developing ICT curricular and ensuring trainer possess the requisite skills, support software development with local content, and create awareness on the benefits of ICT to the public and put up knowledge sharing centers like the Digital Village Initiative. A similar study targeting the private sector can be carried out for comparison and validation of the factors and another one on the effects of ICT on poverty alleviation. The study is expected to benefit employees of the public service of Kenya and organizations who embrace ICT and the advantages that come with it.