Influence of Women Participation on the Performance of County Infrastructural Projects: a Case of Moiben Sub County, Uasin Gishu County; Kenya

Abstract

The influence of women participation on infrastructural projects has not been adequately studied. This study’s objectives was seeking to explore the influence of women participation in project implementation, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation and in financial management on performance of county infrastructural projects in Moiben sub-county located in Uasin-Gishu County. A descriptive survey design was adopted as a research design for this study. The population targeted for this research was 368 people comprising of 324 Women and 44 Men participating indifferent Levels within the Projects in Moiben sub-county.The technique of Stratified random sampling was employed for this study in choosing those who participated. The collection of primary data for this study was done by using the questionnaires with a drop-off and pick-up method which yielded to 100% return rate. Pilot testing was conducted for data collection tools as a preliminary test for the procedures in order to eliminate identified problems permitting programs to make corrective adjustments to instruments. Means, standard deviation and frequency distribution are the descriptive statistics which was employed in analysing data. Data presentation was done by using frequency tables for analysis, understanding and interpretation of the findings. Inferential statistics such as regression and correlation analysis was involved in determining the influence of women participation on the performance of county infrastructural projects in Moiben sub-county, Uasin-Gishu County. The study identified an existence of a strong positive correlation amid women participation and the performance of county infrastructural projects with values being 0.886, 0.863, 0.764 and 0.902 in relations to project implementation, project maintenance, project monitoring and evaluation and in financial management respectively. A regression equation with positive unstandardized coefficients results; Y = 1.000+ 0.711X 1+0.727X 2+ 0.474X 3 + 0.817X4 which is significant statistically with a P- value of 0.002, 0.001,0.05 and 0.05 at 95% confidence level. Regarding the findings from this study, it can now be resolved that; participation of women in project implementation has a magnificent influence on the performance of county infrastructural projects in Uasin Gishu county since they enhances better decision making, selection of project committee and preparation of work schedule. Women participation in project maintenance has a big influence in relation to performance of county infrastructural projects in Uasin Gishu since women have shown great dedication in the supply of local material needed, paying of project expenses and outputs and also in provision of labour. Women also displayed competencies in monitoring and evaluation through remittance of progress reports, citing project gaps and overal involvement in project activities. They also showed more dedication and commitment in the financial management through preparation of budgets, determinations of project costs and procurement of project materials. From the findings it can be recommended that women should be given more opportunities to participate in infrastructural projects since they proof to deliver effectively. The researcher suggested further investigation on factors affecting women participation on the performance of county infrastructural projects.