Information Technology Governance and Public Sector Performance: Empirical Evidence from the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya

Abstract

There is growing integration of advanced IT systems to bolster performance and safeguard assets among Government entities. However, the National Treasury and Economic Planning of Kenya continues to grapple with pervasive performance challenges. Premised on this, the current study explored how IT risk management, IT security management, system audit and IT compliance influence the performance of the National Treasury and Economic Planning. The study was grounded in System Theory, COBIT and Performance Expectancy Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted, with the study targeting 375 senior officers and IT experts of the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya. From that population, a sample size of 194 was obtained based on the Yamane formula and stratified proportionate sampling was employed. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Quantitative analysis yielded descriptive statistics. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the dependent variable depending on its predictors. The study concludes that IT risk management plays a significant and measurable role in enhancing the performance of the National Treasury and Economic Planning (p<0.001); IT security management has a significant and positive influence on the performance (p<0.001); audits significantly influence the performance (p<0.001), and IT compliance is a significant predictor of the performance of the National Treasury and Economic Planning system(p<0.001).  Consequently, the study recommended that the National Treasury and Economic Planning should strengthen and standardise its IT management practices across key areas. Prioritise timely remediation of vulnerabilities, clarify and enforce access control policies and better integrate threat information into decision-making, supported by ongoing staff training and clear communication of security priorities.