Influence of Stakeholder Participation on Sustainability of Community Development Projects Implemented by Plan International in Homa Bay Town Sub-county

Abstract

Stakeholder participation is seen as one of solutions to the problem of project sustainability. Not only would participatory approaches assist project sustainability but it is also argued that participation would make projects more efficient and effective. Plan Kenya noted in an evaluation that the sustainability of community development project is poor, with one of the causes being established as weak participation by stakeholders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of stakeholder participation on sustainability of community development projects implemented by Plan International in Homa Bay Town Sub-County. The study was guided by the following objectives: To determine the influence of passive participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects implemented by Plan International in Homa Bay Town Sub-County, To examine the influence of interactive participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects implemented by Plan International in Homa Bay Town Sub-County, To establish the influence of functional participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects implemented by Plan International in Homa Bay Town Sub-County, To investigate the influence of optimum participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects implemented by Plan International in Homa Bay Town Sub-County. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The researcher targeted three people in each of the 51 organizations partnering with Plan International; this gave a population of 153 people. Using Sekeran (2003) sample determination the sample size was determined as 113 respondents. Simple random sampling was used to select the 113 respondents. SPSS was used to randomize the names and pick 113 names. The study reached 103 respondents. The study used questionnaires for data collection. Pilot testing was done with 12 respondents from Rangwe Sub-county. Data validity was tested by using the Content Valid Index (CVI).The test re-test method was used to assess the reliability of the instruments. The researcher dropped the questionnaire and make an appointment to pick the questionnaires after two days. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulation. Chi-square p-value was used to test the significance of relationships between the independent and the dependent. It was established that there was a weak and insignificant negative association between passive participation among stakeholders on and sustainability of community development projects r=-0.043,p=0.666,CI=95%.It was also established that there was a moderate significant positive correlation between interactive participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects r=0.365, p=0.000, CI=95%. A moderate significant positive correlation between the influences of functional participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects was established =0.455, p=0.000, CI=95%.There was a moderate significant positive correlation between the influences of optimum participation among stakeholders on sustainability of community development projects r= 0.382, p=0.000, CI=95%.It was recommended that Plan International needs to reduce the extent of engaging stakeholder passively, enhance the extent of interactive participation, strengthen functional participation among stakeholders and reinforce optimal participation to enable greater efficiency and effectiveness of programming as well as accountability among the stakeholders, this will be an assurance for project sustainability