An organization’s ability to implement its strategy successfully is a result of its ability to overcome obstacles leading to poor strategy implementation. However, a myriad of factors can potentially affect the process by which strategic plans are turned into organizational action. This study sough to determine the factors influencing the implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. Specifically, the study examined the effect of strategic innovation, strategic leadership and organizational culture on implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. The study was informed by the Contingency theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research. The study targeted 50 small manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. Purposive sampling was used to select a manager and supervisor in each of the small manufacturing firms. A sample size of 100 respondents was used. A multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between institutional factors and the implementation of strategic plans. SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that strategic innovation and implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms is positively and significantly related. Strategic leadership and implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms is positively and significantly related. Lastly, results showed that organization culture and implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms is positively and significantly related. The study concluded that strategic innovation, strategic leadership and organizational culture significantly influence implementation of strategic plans in small manufacturing firms. The study recommends that the small manufacturing firms’ should understand the role organization culture play in management of organizations. They should be in a position to build a culture that is aligned to the strategic plans that they adopt. The small manufacturing firms’ managers should also develop strategic leadership to coordinate all the other resources to attain the desired goals. Strategic leadership determines success or failure of a strategic plan. Key words: Strategic Innovation, Strategic Leadership and Organizational Culture, Strategic Plans & Small Manufacturing Firms

The study sought to establish the influence of educational strategies on online learning in Kenyan institutions of higher learning amid COVID 19 Pandemic. Higher learning institutions, like every other educational institution were forced to close down to curb the spread of covid-19. As centers of innovation across the world, universities were expected to come up with solutions. Higher learning institutions in Kenya embraced online learning. Naturally, there were concerns as to whether such institutions can handle such a massive transformation seemingly overnight. These institutions had to initiate online lectures as well as exams in some cases in order to continue with a school calendar that had already suffered greatly as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. The transition has not been perfect and has faced a number of challenges. The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. A critical review of empirical literature was conducted to establish the influence of educational strategies on online learning in institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The study concludes that the educational strategies have a positive influence on online learning and can be applied individually or collectively depending on the circumstances. The study recommends that institutions of higher learning in Kenya should apply cooperative learning activities in online learning. The study also recommends that institutions should also use differentiation strategy so as to use different techniques for different students and that institutions of higher learning apply the behavioral approach technique by encouraging good behaviors by praise and motivation. Keywords: Educational Strategies, Online Learning, Covid 19, Higher Learning