IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 16, Issue 4. Ver. III (Apr. 2014), PP 14-20 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 14 | Page Factors Affecting Monitoring Of the Strategic Plan: A Case of Kenya Seed Company 1 Dr. Bichanga Walter Okibo, 2 Edwin Masika 1 Ph.D. (Senior Lecturer) Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Main Campus - Juja), Kenya 2 (scholar)Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kitale CBD campus, Kenya Abstract: Organizations have recently seen the need of planning strategically in order to take stock of the benefits that accrue from having well crafted strategic plans. Kenya Seed Company is an expanding company. The purpose of this study was to establish the factors affecting monitoring of strategic plan at Kenya Seed Company plan. The Strategic Plan of reference was the one that covers the period 2013/2014 to2017/ 2018.The study was based on the following specific objectives: To find out the role of management on monitoring of strategic plans, to find out the role of resource allocation on monitoring of strategic plans ,to find out the role of organization structure on monitoring of strategic plans and to find out the role of communication in monitoring of strategic plans .The study undertook a case study design and targeted a population of 110 employees of Kenya Seed Company among them 54 employees were sampled out to participate in the study. The study adopted used questionnaires as the research instrument. Validity was ensured by asking for advice from the supervisors and other lecturers in the department while reliability was ensured by use of Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha. In data processing and analysis SPPSS was used in computation. Pearson’s coefficie nt of correlation and factorial analysis were also used. Data was presented in tables. The study concluded that leadership is very important for the monitoring of a strategic plan and its implementation in an organization since it’s an interpersonal dynamics about the process of influencing others and bringing diverse people together to do purposeful things. The organizational structure is also important in supporting the monitoring of the strategic plan. Communication especially the top-down also plays a key role in ensuring the monitoring of the strategic plan of an organization and finally that an organization’s human resource also contributes immensely towards monitoring and implementation of the strategic plan. The study recommended that, management at the company should not only focus on providing leadership alone but also provide adequate resources needed for monitoring of the strategic plan and that the company’s organization structure should also be designed to permit interactions. . Key words: Monitoring, Evaluation, Strategic planning, Mission, SWOT Analysis I. Background Simons (2002) is observes that it is a critical element of the planning process which enables stakeholders to get feedback about performance and monitors strategy implementation. Ittner and Lacker (1998) further demonstrate that monitoring of strategic plans in organizations has attracted a lot of attention in recent years because of the role it plays in strategy development and evaluation of the organizational objectives .This has made them to come up with monitoring strategies in order to realize the success of their strategic plan. The need for a strategic plan has become necessary at the KSC because of the numerous challenges that it has to grapple with. The challenges are included in the revised strategic plan that covers the period 2013/2014to 2017/2018.To counter this, the company endeavors to introduce superior products in the market besides engaging in continuous quality improvement. The company plays a crucial role in food production in the country by supplying seeds. This means that there should be enough seeds in store to satisfy growing demand for its products locally and regionally.KSC seeks to buy more land for seed production, increase yield per acre and source for more irrigated land. Another challenge the company has to face is continued government interference in determining the price of maize in the market. This has resulted in lower prices for its products which has in turn affected the company‟s balance sheet. These challenges made the company come to the realization that in order to perform well it needs to formulate a strategic plan in line with its vision of being the preferred supplier of top quality seed in Africa. A SWOT analysis enabled the company to identify its strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. This analysis was seen as key to the company‟s efficiency and sustainability. The KSC strengths include having a diversified range of products, a good corporate image, a wide distribution network, a sound financial base, a competent staff and experienced seed growers. The company is also strategically located in Trans -Nzoia District which is the bread basket of the country.