Factors Influencing Sustainability of Constituency Development Fund Projects: a Case of Health Facilities in Machakos Town Constituency, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was established under the Constituencies’ Development Fund Act 2003. The purpose of the fund was to support grass-root development at constituency level bring about development which in turn reduces poverty. The mission was to ensure that specific proportion of the annual government revenue devolved to the constituencies for development and in particular to eradicate poverty at the grass root level. Studies however show that most CDF funded projects have either stalled or not operating at full capacity. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the factors influencing sustainability of CDF funded projects with focus on health facilities in Machakos town constituency in Machakos County. The study’s objectives included assessing the influence of funding, community involvement, accountability and qualification and experience of the management team on the sustainability of health projects in CDF funded health facilities within Machakos Town Constituency. The study was based on descriptive survey research design. This study was carried out in Machakos town constituency and with purposive sampling being used to select 77 respondents from a target population of 357 medical practitioners in the seven ward health facilities that form Machakos Town Constituency. Primary data for the study was collected from medics, PMCs, accountants and local people, with 69 questionnaires duly filled and returned which represents a response rate of 89.61%. The study revealed that there is a positive relationship between the project funding and sustainability of CDF funded health projects, as well as accountability of organizational management, and involvement of the local community which means that any reduction in project funding negatively affect the sustainability of the projects. Lack of accountability by project managers erodes the level of trust between the management and funders, which would ultimately lead to termination of the funding programme, thereby crippling the project sustenance programme. The study also shows an adverse effect of academic qualifications and management experience and health project sustainability, which may imply that prioritizing high academic qualifications at the expense of integrity, skills and diligence in the construction project normally erodes competency of the manpower. The study therefore concluded that timely and adequate provision of project funds, constant and continuous community involvement, recruitment of qualified personnel with integrity and competence, as well as ensuring accountability and transparency in handling of CDF funds is the only sure way of ensuring sustainability of completed health projects in Machakos Town constituency. The study therefore recommended that health project management teams should ensure the project funding is timely and adequate to avoid gaps and delays in implementation. The management team should actively involve the local community in the construction process as well as sustainability programs. Frequent audit reports and periodicals on the project progress and constituency expenditures should be made public to improve accountability and transparency.