Coalition Resources and the Wicked Problem of Traffic Congestion in Nairobi City County Kenya

Purpose of Study: This study examines the influence of coalition resources on the wicked problem of traffic congestion in Nairobi City County, Kenya. It investigates how financial resources, public relations expertise, professional lobbyists, skillful leadership, and formal legal authority enable advocacy coalitions to address this complex urban governance challenge. Methodology: Adopting a pragmatist philosophy and descriptive design, the study sampled 168 respondents from transport sector stakeholders using simple random and stratified sampling. Primary data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, achieving an 81.5% response rate (n=137). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Coalition resources demonstrated a statistically significant strong positive correlation with addressing traffic congestion (r=0.698, p<0.01). Regression analysis confirmed coalition resources as significant predictors (β=0.243, t=4.066, p<0.001). Descriptive results showed strong agreement that financial resources enable research and consultancy (mean=4.18), public relations experts foster stakeholder engagement (mean=4.19, highest), professional lobbyists create awareness (mean=4.14), skillful leadership effects policy changes (mean=4.13), research evidence boosts agenda-setting (mean=4.17), and formal legal authority facilitates prudent decisions (mean=4.09). These resources collectively determine coalition operational potency. Conclusion: The availability and strategic deployment of coalition resources—financial, public relations, lobbying capacity, leadership, and legal authority—are essential for effective advocacy against traffic congestion in Nairobi County. Coalitions must systematically diversify resource bases, prioritizing public relations and professional lobbying to sustain long-term policy influence