New Law: It’s time for a paradigm shift in our implementation tactics

In addition to policies, laws, regulations and administrative action, tactical instruments include mechanisms for advocacy, outreach, civic education and engagement, public service culture change and re-training, as well as new processes, systems, working tools and infrastructure.

A focus on this wider range of instruments would create a valuable participatory role for civil society and the private sector.
The fourth is managerialism.

By avoiding a disjointed approach, strategic focus and smart tactics will give us an integrated implementation “package”. For example, the “package” on counties would comprise enabling policies, laws, regulations, structures, staffing, skills, systems, infrastructure, other service delivery requirements and financing arrangements.

Managerialism is then about timing, financing and monitoring. Implementation initiatives must be prioritised and sequenced, fully costed and transparently financed.

Open and participatory monitoring mechanisms will help us track progress. Ultimately, managerialism will combine ownership, strategic focus and smart tactics to create a realistic implementation path towards the new Kenya.

So, given our latest 18-24 month window, now is surely the time for a new implementation paradigm, before we end up wondering why “the operation was successful, but the patient died”!

Mr Kabaara is an institutional reform specialist and a management consultant. (dkabaara@gmail.com)