Nexus Between Recognition Programmes and Employee Performance in Kenyan Public Universities: Case of Tharaka-Nithi County

Employee performance is essential to the effectiveness of public universities, where staff contribute to teaching, research, student support, administration, and community engagement. As universities respond to changing institutional demands, recognition programmes provide a means of acknowledging employees’ contributions and encouraging improved performance. However, the effectiveness of these programmes depends on how they are implemented and perceived by employees. This study examined the influence of recognition programmes on employee performance in public universities within Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of recognition programmes on employee performance. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised 1,103 employees, from whom a sample of 285 respondents was selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including means, standard deviations, Pearson’s correlation, and regression analysis. Of the 285 questionnaires distributed, 238 were returned, representing a response rate of 83.5%. The findings indicated that recognition programmes were moderately implemented, with an overall mean score of 3.46. Regression analysis showed a strong positive relationship between recognition programmes and employee performance ((R = .768)), with the model explaining 59.0% of the variation in employee performance ((R^2 = .590)). The regression model was statistically significant, (F(1, 236) = 339.23,\ p < .001). Pearson’s correlation analysis also revealed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between recognition programmes and employee performance ((r = .768,\ p < .001)). The study concludes that recognition programmes are significantly associated with employee performance in public universities. The study recommends that university management should establish transparent, fair, timely, and inclusive recognition systems that acknowledge employees’ contributions across teaching, research, administration, student support, and community engagement. Such systems may help strengthen employee motivation and performance in public universities. Keywords: Recognition Programmes; Employee Performance; Human Resource Management; Public Universities; Employee Recognition