Influence of Community Participation on Project Sustainability the Case of Mau Mara Serengeti Sustainable Water Initiative in Mara Basin - Kenya

Abstract

Lack of community participation has been cited by scholars as one of the key reasons as to the failure of major community projects receiving donor support. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of community participation on project sustainability in Mau Mara Serengeti Sustainable Water Initiative (MaMaSe) in Mara Basin - Kenya. The objectives of this study was to; establish the influence of ensuring water security by community members on project sustainability in MaMaSe sustainable water initiative, assess the influence of conservation of water basins by community members on project sustainability in MaMaSe water initiative in Mara Basin - Kenya, determine the influence of conflict resolution by community members on project sustainability in MaMaSe water initiative and determine the influence of water allocation and permitting by community members on project sustainability in MaMaSe water initiative in Mara Basin - Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was project managers and community leaders within MaMaSe sustainable water initiative. Census sampling was applied in the sampling the community leaders and Purposive sampling procedure was used on sampling project Managers. This gave a sample size of 50 community leaders and 11 project managers. Data was collected using questionnaires which were given to the community leaders and interviews were held with the project Managers. Collected data was analysed using SPSS V21.Descriptive, content and inferential statistics was used .Presentation of findings was done using tables, figure and narration. The study established that there is influence of community participation on project sustainability in MaMaSe water initiative in Mara Basin - Kenya. The community used methods such ensuring water security, conservation of water basin, conflict resolution and water allocation and permitting for the purpose of project sustainability. The study concluded Participation is a key instrument in creating self-reliant and empowered communities stimulating collective action and decision-making. The study has also shown existence of positive and significant relationship of community participation on project sustainability. The study recommended that that the communities within the project area should be actively involved in project activities as this will leads to awareness of the project by the participants which will ensure the success of the project