Factors Influencing Effectiveness Of Donor Funded Projects In Improving Sanitation In Informal Settlements: A Case Of Fresh Life Toilet Project In Kiambiu Slum

Abstract

In the quest to improve sanitation in the informal settlements project stakeholders should ensure that, the donor-funded projects are well, managed to meet the beneficiary needs hence ensuring project sustainability. The study aims to investigate the factors influencing the effectiveness of donor-funded projects in improving sanitation in the informal settlement a case study of Kiambiu slum, under Kamukunji Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: To examine the influence of stakeholders‟ participation in the effectiveness of donor-funded projects in improvement of sanitation in the informal settlements of Kiambiu slum, to examine the impact of management competencies on the effectiveness of donor-funded projects in improvement of sanitation in the informal settlements of Kiambiu slum, to examine the effects of monitoring and evaluation in promoting the effectiveness of donor-funded projects in improvement of sanitation in the informal settlements of Kiambiu slum, The study used three theories namely: stakeholders theory, collective action theory and development communication theory. The study explored the use of descriptive research design. Quantitative data that was collected through sample questionnaires in measuring the effects of the independent variables, (Stakeholders‟ participation, management competencies and Monitoring and Evaluation) on the dependent variable (Effectiveness of donor-funded projects), the reliability and validity tests were used to validate the questionnaire. The target population for this, study is 144 individuals comprising of the project managers, the workers/staff, community leaders and the end users of the fresh life toilets. Raw data was collected using questionnaires then coded to useful information that was analyzed. The study employed descriptive statistical techniques such as regression analysis to establish the correlation among the independent variables and dependent variable. The study found out that, stakeholders participation is an important factor influencing the effectiveness of donor-funded projects, participation in decision-making, funding involvement and project sustainability were key. Management competencies was also an important influencing the effectiveness of donor funded projects in the improvement of sanitation in Kiambiu Slum with knowledge, skills, experience and training playing a major role in determining the management competencies. Monitoring and evaluation was found to be an important factor affecting the effectiveness of donor funded projects in improving sanitation in the informal settlements of Kiambiu slum poor monitoring and evaluation was observed to be a limiting factor to the effectiveness and that there should be need for consistency in monitoring and evaluation of the synergy toilets project. Economic intervention was observed to affect the effectiveness of donor-funded projects in areas touching on the availability of donor funds. The study recommends that competent, skilled staff should be employed; monitoring and evaluation should be constantly done by the monitoring and evaluation officers and that there should be more stakeholders‟ participation in the implementation and sustainability of the donor funded projects