Influence of community participation on project performance: a case of Ruiri water projects, Meru county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of community participation in the performance of community water projects in Ruiri, Meru County. Specifically, the sought to establish the influence of community participation in financial management, project governance, operations and maintenance and monitoring and evaluation on performance of Ruiri-Thau Water Project. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 413 respondents comprising 400 households benefiting from Ruiri-Thau Water Project, 11 project committee members and two donors (Catholic Diocese of Meru and Meru County Government). Proportionate stratified sampling was used to derive a sample of 211 respondents – 196 household leaders, 11 project committee members and 2 donors. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview schedule. Data analysis and presentation was conducted using descriptive statistics with the help of IBM Statistical Package of Social Scientists (SPSS) Statistics, Version 20. The study established that community participation in financial planning had a moderate positive influence on project performance; community participation in project governance had a moderate positive influence on project performance; community participation in project operations and management had a weak positive influence on project performance, and community participation in monitoring and evaluation had a moderate positive influence on project performance. The study concluded that Ruiri-Thau Water Project community members were not participating actively in scrutinizing and approving financial transactions and pertinent reports and this was impacting project performance negatively. Moreover, elections were mere formalities to maintain the status quo; community members rarely attended project governance meetings and were not involved in decision-making for the project, thus impeding project efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, the community and project donors were contributing materials, labour, finances and security to the project towards enhancement of project performance. The study also concluded that community members were indifferent to the project by not visiting project sites, failing to attend meetings to discuss overall performance of the project and not requesting to scrutinize performance and progress reports. The study recommends that project team and donors should create a clear system of accounting for project money with the input of the community. Further, a new governance structure should be established with emphasis on new elections and with active community participation. Moreover, that a new system for receiving project materials and fees, and reporting water distribution problems be put in place. In addition, meetings and site visits should be organized regularly to inculcate accountability and transparency in project management. The findings of this study are of significance to communities and donors implementing water projects, government agencies and scholars in the areas project management, participatory development and community development