Influence Of Stakeholders Participation In Performance Of Agricultural Projects In Wajir County, Kenya: A Case Of Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project.

Abstract

Participation of stakeholders has been appreciated as a crucial component of programming since 1970s.The study was undertaken to demonstrate how stakeholders’ participation influenced the performance of agriculture projects in Wajir County. A review of case studies has demonstrated a relationship between the stakeholder participation and performance of agriculture projects, with the study framework being anchored on Stakeholder theory. The study was undertaken to demonstrate how stakeholder participation influences the performance of agricultural projects. The study considered stakeholder participation in four phases of the project cycle; initiation, funding, execution and Monitoring & Evaluation. In assessing project performance, the study was limited to three key project performance indicators; timely completion, cost implication, and project sustainability. The study was guided by four objectives: to establish the influence of stakeholder participation on initiation of agriculture projects in Wajir County, determine the influence of stakeholder participation on funding of agriculture projects in Wajir County, determine the influence of stakeholder participation on execution of agriculture projects in Wajir County, as well as establishing the influence of stakeholder participation on monitoring and evaluation of agriculture projects in Wajir County. The study utilized descriptive survey research design with a target population of 220 individuals drawn from the Agriculture department of Wajir County government, project beneficiaries, implementing agencies, as well as service providers. The researcher arrived at a sample of 136 respondents using Krejcie & Morgan table. The study analyzed the data using SPSS statistical application and applied Descriptive design, specifically measures of central tendency was used to describe data. The researcher also used correlation and regression to determine the degree of relation between the dependent and independent variables. The study found that Stakeholder involvement in the project at initiation, execution and monitoring and evaluation has positive effect on project performance while participation during funding has negative effect to project performance. The study concludes that the effect of stakeholder participation on project performance is determined by the skills of the stakeholder on the subject matter. If it is technical like involvement at funding level the impact is likely to negative. While it will be positive for non-technical aspects. The study recommended that stakeholders be trained on the subject matter before involving them and implementing agencies should be flexible to accommodate stakeholder input. The recommends that further investigation on other factors that influence project performance other than stakeholder participation.