Factors Influencing Implementation Of Monitoring And Evaluation Practices In County Government Construction Projects In Kenya: A Case Of Nyeri County

Abstract

After the inception of county governments following promulgation of the constitution in 2010, county governments manage and initiate development projects and programs. Additionally, World Bank paints a gloomy performance of development projects in most county government where delays in implementation of the project are high. The purpose of this research was to determine factors influencing implementation of monitoring and evaluation practices in county government construction projects focusing at Nyeri County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine how budgetary allocation, top management support, policy framework and stakeholder involvement influence implementation of monitoring and evaluation practices in county government construction projects in Nyeri County, Kenya. It was specifically anchored on system theory, co-evolutionary theory and classical theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was 307 comprising of Government Official in Construction, M&E Officials for the Project, County Government Officials, Project Managers and Engineers, Project Supervisors, Consultants and Community Leaders. A sample size of 171 of the target population of 307 was used. This study adopted a stratified and simple random sampling technique. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The drop and pick method were preferred for questionnaire administration so as to give respondents enough time to give well thought out responses. The researcher personally administered the research instruments to the respondents. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation was used for all the quantitative variables. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analysed using conceptual content analysis and presented in prose. The study found that budgetary allocation influence implementation of monitoring and evaluation practices in Nyeri county government construction projects greatly. The study further revealed that actual expenditure outline encourages M&E plan development forums as shown by a mean of 4.339, that consumables and supplies allocation boosts level of utilization of data collected in M&E forums as shown by a mean of 4.032 and that disbursement frequency enhances implementation of monitoring and evaluation forums. The study concluded that organizational budgetary allocation strategy had the greatest effect with a regression coefficient of 0.895 on performance by public institutions in Kenya followed by policy framework strategy with a regression coefficient of 675 then top management support strategy with a regression coefficient of 0.617 while stakeholder involvement strategy had the least effect on the implementation of monitoring and evaluation practices in county government construction projects at Nyeri County, Kenya with a regression coefficient of 0.579. The study recommends that there is need to increase training and awareness on M&E processes and procedures through formal training and in-service training to keep them updated in the field. The M&E activities should be allocated enough resources and facilities so as to enhance implementation. There is need to implement the existing M&E framework in carrying out M&E activities so as to align various activities to standard protocols which many county governments have failed to adhere to.