| dc.description.abstract | The overall of this study was to establish the relationship between end user involvement and
the performance of Economic stimulus programme (ESP) fish farming project in Mwea
constituency, Kirinyaga County. The specific objectives guiding the study were, establishing
initial planning involvement of end users, resource planning involvement, marketing planning
involvement as well monitoring and evaluation involvement of end users and how they relate
to performance of the ESP fish farming project. Literature review was done on studies carried
out on the parameters influencing success as per the objectives set out. A descriptive survey
design was employed with both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The target population of
the study was 250 ESP Fish farmers in Mwea constituency. Stratified and convenience
sampling technique was used to draw a representative sample of eighty three (83) farmers
were drawn from a stratum of six administrative wards using proportionate stratified
sampling while the three (3) extension officers on the involved in the project formed part of
the sample. Questionnaire, observation guide, structured interviews and focus group meetings
were used to collect data from respective participants. Qualitative data collected via
questionnaires, focus group discussions and scheduled interviews and it was analyzed using
descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and percentage values aided by statistical
package for social scientists (SPSS) and the findings presented in frequency distribution
tables. Key findings of the study included establishment of a positive relationship between
initial planning involvement of end users, resource planning involvement, marketing planning
involvement as well monitoring and evaluation involvement of end users and success of the
Economic Stimulus Programmes fish farming projects. From the study findings and
conclusions drawn it is indicative that planning of the resources did not involve the end user
leading to poor implementation while lack offend user involvement market planning is likely
to have led to poor performance especially in terms of longevity after government
withdrawal. The study found that end users were minimally incorporated in planning
monitoring and evaluation through preparation of schedules and inspection visits and it did
not extend further than visits to farmers to see progress in implementation. Recommendations
included the need for project managers to ensure full participation of key identified
stakeholders in future similar programmes and the need to clearly identify markets for
stakeholders before initiation of similar programmes as this aided in the success of the overall
programme. Suggestions for further research included a comparative study of the influence of
end user participation on the success of the Economic stimulus (ESP) and similar
programmes. | en_US |
