Influence of Time Overruns on the Implementation of County Construction Projects; the Case of Lamu County, Kenya.

Abstract

Time overruns and delays in implementation of construction projects has become a common phenomenon globally and Kenya is no exception, especially with the coming of devolution system. Failure to timely deliver projects interferes with project deliverables which in turn have negative impacts on project success in terms of time, cost, quality and safety. Identifying the significant factors influencing project delays and overrun is vital to minimize these impacts. A number of factors have been said to influence the rates at which these projects are completed. The Purpose of this study was to examine the Influence of Time Overruns in the Implementation of County Construction Projects; the Case of Lamu County, Kenya. The study was based on three theories that touched on organizational theory, agency theory, and financial distress theory. The research was guided by the following objectives: to determine the influence of political good-will in the implementation of County construction projects; the case of Lamu county, Kenya; to assess the influence of budgetary allocations on the implementation of County construction projects; the case of Lamu county, Kenya ; to examine how organisation structures within the county government influence the implementation of County construction projects; the case of Lamu county, Kenya; and to find out the extent to which contracts management influences the implementation of County construction projects; the case of Lamu county, Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 70 respondents. Stratified sampling was used to select 60 respondents so as to allow full participation of the respondents. Primary data was collected using structured administered questionnaires consisting of both closed and open-ended questions. Data collection tools were piloted among 10 respondents in the neighboring Kilifi county and suggestions made before finalizing their development. The researcher visited the targeted respondents, used research assistants to access some other respondents, and e-mailed questionnaires to some respondent who were not easily accessible for one on one questionnaire filling. Data collected was analyzed using quantitative methods with the help of (SPSS) version 20. Research findings showed that of the 60 targeted respondents 50 of them responded representing 83.33% response rate considered adequate to constitute a basis for valid conclusion. From the study’s findings, it was concluded that, politics and political goodwill has a significant influence on the rates of projects completion. The politicians decide the amount of money to be allocated to various projects, the time periods that this money should take to reach the project implementers, the site/location of the projects, the priority projects and many more. The study also concluded that the budgetary allocations from both the national and county governments have a significant influence on the implementation and completion of projects. Besides, the researcher concludes that county governance structures have a significant influence on the rates of projects completion. Finally, the researcher concludes that contracts management significantly influences the rates at which projects are completed by counties. The laws, rules and regulations that govern the people to be awarded contracts, the people to award the contracts, the stakeholders to be enjoined in the contractual process and the time periods of paying the contractors is very important in determining the time projects are completed. The study recommends that future research should be undertaken in other counties in the coast region to ascertain whether such factors outlined above also influence the rates of projects completion. The study also recommends for a research to be done examining the influence of community participation on construction projects implementation in counties, in Kenya.