Determinants of Programmes Implementation in Nongovernmental Organizations in Kenya: a Case of Compassion International

Abstract

This study was aimed to investigate the factors that influence the implementation of programs in non-governable organizations in Kenya. The researcher chose Compassion International as a case in this study. Fifteen Compassion assisted projects in Kilifi County were considered in this study. Nine of these projects are in Malindi Sub County and the rest six are in Kilifi Sub-county. The research focused on four independent variables which included the involvement of stakeholders, staff motivation, caregivers’ attitude and local ownership. These factors formed the hypotheses to be tested under this study. The researcher used the descriptive survey method where 15 projects across Kilifi County were put under study. Interview schedules Questionnaires were issued to 150 caregivers from five projects in Kilifi County. 80% response rate was realized in these questionnaires distribution. Five project directors and five Patrons were also interviewed during this study. The null hypotheses were rejected in this study. It was proved that stakeholder involvement, staff motivation, caregivers’ attitude and local ownership determine the implementation of programs in Compassion assisted projects. Therefore, this study proved that stakeholder involvement, staff motivation, caregivers’ attitude and local ownership determine the implementation of programs in Non-governmental organizations. The research recommended that the church leaders should be encouraged to invest more in networking and stakeholder involvement because stakeholders are a huge resource that the projects can tap into. The research also recommended that gender sensitivity should be observed in the selection of church leaders because all the Pastors in the projects under study were men. This implied that the representation of women was very poor. The research also recommended that the staff working in the project should be adequately motivated in order to perform to their full potential. Over 60% of the workers in the projects were very poorly motivated. Last, the research also recommended that attitude change should be lobbied amongst the caregivers who are key beneficiaries of these projects. This is key to the achievement of Compassion International’s outcomes. Key Words: Project implementation, stakeholder involvement, staff motivation, caregivers’ attitude and local ownership.