The performance of county governments plays a pivotal role in ensuring the provision of essential public services, effective financial management, successful policy implementation, and public satisfaction. Strategic leadership, which encompasses long-term vision, informed decision-making, resource allocation, and the management of change and innovation, is crucial for addressing the complex challenges faced by county governments. Although the importance of strategic leadership is widely acknowledged, there remains a gap in understanding its specific impact at the county government level, as most existing research focuses on private sector or national-level governance. This review aims to address this gap by examining the roles of strategic leadership in enhancing the performance of county governments in Kenya. The study utilizes a desk research design, reviewing relevant literature on the influence of strategic leadership on the performance of county governments in Kenya. It focuses on identifying key strategic leadership practices and evaluating their impact on various performance areas, including service delivery, financial management, and public trust.The findings suggest that incorporating strategic leadership elements, such as vision and mission development, strategic planning, decision-making, and change management, significantly improves the performance of county governments in Kenya. The evidence gathered from recent studies demonstrates that these components collectively contribute to enhanced operational efficiency, better resource management, and improved service delivery. As county governments face ongoing challenges, the emphasis on strategic leadership practices will be essential for achieving successful outcomes and fostering effective governance.
Keywords: Strategic leadership, performance of the county governments.
