Influence of Strategic Organizational Leadership on Project Implementation in Turkana County: A Case of Lokado in Turkana West Sub-County, Kenya

This study investigated the impact of strategic organizational leadership on project implementation in Turkana County, Kenya, with a specific focus on the case of the Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization (LOKADO) in Turkana West Sub-County. The primary objective was to examine how strategic organisation leadership influence the successful execution of NGO-led projects in resource-constrained settings. A descriptive research design was employed. The study targeted a population of 300 LOKADO employees and selected community members from the area where LOKADO is operating, from which a stratified random sample size of 171 respondents was selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed a statistically significant and positive relationship between strategic leadership practices and effective project implementation (r = 0.750, p = 0.001). Visionary leadership, participatory decision-making, and efficient resource mobilization were identified as the most influential factors contributing to project success. However, several challenges namely, donor dependency, frequent leadership turnover, and limited capacity-building efforts were found to impede optimal implementation. The study concludes that strategic organizational leadership plays a crucial role in aligning project objectives with community needs, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and ensuring the sustainability of outcomes. It recommends that NGOs enhance leadership capacities through continuous professional development, institutionalize inclusive decision-making frameworks, and pursue funding diversification strategies to reduce project disruptions. These findings hold significant implications for policy development, donor engagement, and organizational strategy within NGOs operating in marginalized and resource-limited contexts.