UTILITY OF BEREAUCRATIC THEORY IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY

 With the inception of devolved governance in Kenya under the provisions of the promulgated 2010 constitution, bureaucracy was surely going to be on the increase to cater for the duties and responsibilities provided for in the constitution. Uasin Gishu being among them, elections led to a new dawn of a system of governance of its kind and the government formed an organization. 

A conception model of providing best leadership as well as discharging rules and responsibilities was needed. In this case, bureaucratic theory was the best consideration as it is in most organizations which are effective. The specific elements that are attributed to this theory have led to the County under the leadership of H.E, E.G.H Jackson Mandago to progress forward with due programmes being fully implemented. 

Bureaucratic theory brings with it the principle of impersonality. This has led to those occupying the positions to make best use of the offices they occupy to ensure full implementation of work needed. The Governor has been quoted in most of the functions insisting on County officials not personalizing their offices. Recently at a function to launch an Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism at the County headquarters said he would not accept negligence of duty especially when security matters arose. 

Rules are an important part of what form the theory. The guidelines regulate conduct within the County as implementation of strategies and policies is being done. The County administration has fully embraced the service charter and made it more of a set of rules which they ought to follow. The County vision of prosperity and the mission of serving people through good leadership as well as the core values which among them they include accountability, team work and innovation guide service provision in as far as the best can be delivered and fruits of devolution can be seen. 

Hierarchy is a concept that encompasses the theory and it has been so effective such that there has been no room for complacency to the officials working in the County. The systematic ranking of County officials has eliminated vacuum and ensured that work is guided by ethics which include professionalism, transparency and integrity. Hierarchy follows that the Governor holds the highest rank and the rest follow the rank up to the junior most officials with each having a specific role to play. 

Activities and actions taken in order to ensure work is duly done are guided by the operational procedures. This has made accountability simple and has kept the officers on toes hence peace and harmony in the work atmosphere. The County through the department of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) came up with the UGpay, an online system that has simplified work done and ensured maximum use of the revenue base in the County as few officers handle the funds. With such kind of innovation, accountability is made available to future references that may be made by the interested parties. 

Bureaucratic theory has made specialization of work a simple concept to the officers employed and tasked to provide services to the residents. The officers being monocratic has enabled the delivery of services be of the highest standard to the County residents. Specialization of work saves time and makes delivery of the same convenient and elasticity level of good work can actually be attained. 

The officers elected or appointed do so under merit and this ensures only the best get the chance to serve the people. The different departments in the County require varying qualification credentials to be met. For instance, those in the communication and public relations section that is under public service management has employed graduates of the fields that are relevant to the same like journalism, mass communication, public relations among others. Fixed remuneration to the officers is also another feature that the theory has. This gives motivation to the officers within the organization.

Bureaucratic theory has been so essential to the County administration since the office is more important than the official occupying it. Duties delegated to a certain office do not change. Although officials may change, the specific duties ensure that when the officer, say, retires there is smooth transition and work to be done is not affected by the change. This also cushions the office from change of environment that may be triggered by the official. The change may be contingent like the official being promoted to a higher office or one may also resign and venture to another sector as well.

Bureaucratic theory has and continues to be such an important part of administration not just on the County but in organizations which have many officials, rules, order and rank have to be considered. Weber's development at a time when organizations needed a theory that would make work to be done efficiently has in today's world made its way to most areas and hence has had such tremendous utilities to the County.