Institutional Factors Influencing Implementation Of Infrastructure Projects By County Governments In Kenya; A Case Of Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Public infrastructure projects have taken a slow pace since independence. The records from the Kenya government 2014 on vision 2030 towards a globally competitive and prosperous Kenya (GOK, 2007) indicate that slow pace in implementation of public infrastructure projects has led to poor road networks; under standardized public amenities; non connectivity of the national grid line to industrial potential areas; poor mitigation measures in agricultural areas; and poor mechanization of the once competitive industries that are going under. This study sought to examine the factors that influence successful completion of county funded projects in Embu County, Kenya. The study objectives were: To examine the influence of stakeholders in the implementation of infrastructural projects in Embu County; To examine how management influences the implementation of infrastructural projects in Embu County, Kenya; To examine the influence of resources in the implementation of infrastructural projects in Embu County, Kenya; and To examine how governance influences infrastructural projects implementation in Embu County, Kenya. The study was modelled along the institutional Theory, Systems theory and Participatory Involvement Theory. Descriptive research design was used to survey a target population of 100 respondents. The study used primary data which was collected by use of questionnaires; which included structured and unstructured questions. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS), data analysis software, was used to analyze the quantitative data. Further, quantitative data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Using the regression model to analyse data, the findings revealed that stakeholders negatively and significantly influences implementation of infrastructure projects by county governments in Kenya, The study also found that management, organizational resources and governance positively and significantly influences implementation of infrastructure projects by county governments. The study concluded that stakeholders, management, organizational resources and governance significantly influences implementation of infrastructure projects. The study recommended that that county governments in Kenya should involve and consult all stakeholders before the start of projects identification, resourcing, planning, implementation and in the monitoring and evaluation process so as to reduce conflict among the various stakeholders and thatmanagement be in the fore front of identifying resources for the projects, attending meetings, coming up with proper channels of spending for the projects and linking well with other stakeholders so as to achieve general planned projects success.