Staff Development and Employee Performance in Kenya Commercial Bank in Nyeri County, Kenya

The study intended to investigate the effect of staff development on employee performance in KCB Bank Branches in Nyeri County. Training and staff development is very crucial in the overall performance of the employee. The performance of the employees has a direct impact on the organizational performance and competitiveness. Staff development is not cheap in short run but in the long - run is beneficial. The study intended to investigate and establish the training and development programmes at KCB Bank. The study also intended to establish the: training programmes at KCB; effect of training policies on employee performance at KCB; the influence of orientation on employee performance at KCB and the effect of mentorship towards employee performance at KCB. The study was conducted at KCB Bank Nyeri County, Kenya where there are five branches. The target population was one hundred and sixty (160 employees) consisting of three (3) different ranks of top branch management, middle level branch management and lower level branch management. The researcher conducted a census on the top level, middle level and lower level branch management with a total of 160 questionnaires distributed. A total of 119 questionnaires were duly filled and returned representing a response rate of 74%.  Primary data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. The findings from the study indicated that training programmes, training policies, orientation and mentorship all have a positive correlation with the employee performance. Demographic information was analyzed as well and presented in tables. The research findings indicated that the bank has a variety of training programmes, well – structured and documented training policies, orientation programmes and mentorship programmes.  The study recommends that a variety of training policies and programmes should be initiated. These policies and programmes should be well documented and communicated.  The study recommends that a study of the whole of the banking sector should be conducted to establish whether the results will be replicated. A longitudinal study should also be conducted to establish the relationship over time.