A Dissertation Submitted to the School of Public Administration and
Management (SOPAM) in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Award of a Degree of Master of Science in Human Resource Management
(MSc.HRM) of Mzumbe University
This study aimed at examining the motivational strategies to be implemented so as to
reduce or eradicate the problem of staffs’ retention in Local Government Authorities
in Tanzania, a case study of Mafia District Council. It was guided by four specific
objectives which were; to examine staff retention status, examining the motivational
strategies applied in Mafia DC, examining satisfaction level of existing motivational
strategies and identifying the challenges facing staff retention in Mafia DC.
A sample size of 100 employees was used whereby; both primary and secondary data
were collected through observations, questionnaires, interviews and documentary
review in which were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study findings
revealed that, the strongest motivational strategies that would aid to staff retention in
Mafia DC were two supported by the remaining four strategies. The two strategies
are; the provision of adequate living condition through provision of staff houses,
transport facilities and health services whereas the second strategy was the
availability of financial incentives including transport and hardship allowances.
Conclusively, the findings indicates that, the council should motivate the staffs to
stay by putting in place strategies that would enhance staff retention such as; the
provision of staff houses, transport facilities and health services accompanied with
appropriate financial incentives including transport and hardship allowance. Thus,
some recommendations were made to Mafia District Council, Tanzanian
government, ministry of health, ministry of Infrastructure and Development,
Tanzanian Ports Authority (TPA), Recruitment secretariat and President’s Office –
Public service Management. These recommendations were accompanied by policy
implication that, Human resource recruitment policy should have a comprehensive
plan for staff retention while the organizational policy should put in place the
appropriate motivational strategies and extrinsic factors such as financial incentives
would aid more on staff retention