An Assessment of the Monitoring and Evaluation System of Kenya Forestry and Research Institute

Abstract

According to the KEFRI strategic plan weak monitoring and evaluation system was highlighted as one of the weaknesses of the organisation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to; establish if there are structures for people, partnership and planning for KEFRI M&E system, review mechanisms for data management processes at KEFRI and establish if there is evidence of dissemination and use of data from the KEFRI M&E system in decision making. The assessment of this M&E System adopted the 12 components that were interrelated and which are divided into three categories. The study employed a descriptive case study design to assess the M&E Systems of KEFRI. This study utilized a purposive sampling approach. Data was collected through administering of questionnaires. Each of the 12 components was analyzed independently based on the performance of their respective elements identified and an average of each obtained to determine the total system performance. After the assessment KEFRI had an average score of 68 percentage. The Costed work plan component scored the highest at 84 percent while data demand and use attained the lowest score at 52 percent. The key strengths of KEFRI M&E system include: strong M&E partnerships, costed work plans, continuous communication and advocacy to improve programme. Key gaps that were identified include: inadequate staff with the required knowledge and skills in M&E, documentation of M&E procedures, inadequate evaluation and research capacity of M&E staff, corrections are not made after data quality assessments. The recommendations made were that to have a fully functional M&E systems, program and M&E managers should ensure that their M&E system meet the conventional M&E system requirements. Further, they should avail frameworks to support M&E systems; through employing M&E systems’ quality management practices and providing structures for assessing the crucial M&E system components as prescribed by Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group (MERG).