Transformational Leadership and School Outcomes in Kenya: Does Emotional Intelligence Matter?

Increased interest in leadership preparation and development is based on the fact that school leaders can make a difference in both the effectiveness and efficiency of schooling. Symptomatic of weak management systems, more than 300 secondary schools experienced turbulence in Kenya between the months of May and August in 2011 due to mismanagement resulting in the destruction of property worth millions of shillings. Various theories and models have been constructed to explain the leadership functions and suggest different approaches to leadership. A growing body of studies has shown that emotional intelligence is inherently associated with transformational leadership whose theory has highlighted the importance of leaders' influence on followers' emotional states. This study has a specific purpose of advancing and expanding research on emotional intelligence and transformational leadership in schools in Kenya.