James Lowasa Eris^1,, Janet Muthimi¹

Youths form the largest part of Kenyan population and this is more evident in Isiolo County. Due to the many challenges that are posed by youth unemployment, and the need to empower the youthful population, the government has initiated various projects to solve this problem. But it has been realized that these well thought government funded youth projects intended to solve this perilous matter barely give the intended results to positively impact and empower the youths of this country. In reference to this issue, this research was centering its attention on the examination of strategic leadership and the resultant impact on the performance of selected government-funded youth initiatives within Isiolo County, located in the country of Kenya. The research was conducted under the guidance of the subsequent four particular goals: to establish the effect of strategic direction, strategic execution, ethical considerations and strategic control on the organizational performance of selected government-funded youth projects in Isiolo County, Kenya. The research design used in the study was descriptive. One hundred and twenty youth groups that have benefited from government-funded youth projects during the previous five years, from 2018 to 2023, was the focus of the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Regression of coefficients showed that strategic direction, strategic execution, ethical consideration and strategic control had a positive and significant effect with organizational performance of selected government-funded youth projects. The study recommends that strategic leaders should consider engaging more on determining strategic direction to enhance organizational performance of selected government-funded youth projects. The youth projects should enhance the competencies of the members of management through training. Training could a good method to equip members with knowledge and skills in strategic planning. The youth projects should also consider having a clear mission statement and strategic objectives that the employees will understand easily.

Strategic leadership, strategic direction, strategic execution, ethical considerations, strategic control. organizational performance, government-funded youth projects