Influence of Project Implementation Strategies on Performance of County Funded Projects: a Case of County Afforestation Projects in Meru County Kenya

Abstract

Successful implementation of county funded projects in parts of the world is critical since it is the only way the citizenry can enjoy services provided by those projects. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of project implementation on performance of county funded projects. The study specifically sought to assess the influence of stakeholder participation, planning, leadership and financial capacity on the performance of afforestation projects in Meru County, Kenya. The reviewed theories included public participation theory, stakeholder theory and Resource Based View theory. Descriptive survey design was employed in this study. The target population for this study was composed of the County representatives, Kenya Forest Service officials and Stakeholders in Meru County Government. The sample size was determined using Morgan and Krejcie (1970) model, and the study sought to use a sample size of 292 respondents. Stratified sampling methods were used for the selection of the study respondents. Data collection for this research was done using questionnaires. The data collected was first grouped and then edited before being coded using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0). Data was analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis comprises of measures of distribution (frequencies and percentages), measures of central tendencies (mean) and measures of variability (standard deviation). Thematic analysis entailed the creation of themes related to the study variables. This was performed on the qualitative data provided by the open-ended parts in the questionnaire. Inferential statistics was done using multiple regression analysis. The analyzed data was presented in form of tables. The study established that tracking activities for the end county project; facilitating or overseeing some activities of the county project; mobilizing project beneficiaries for some activities; and deciding the timelines and targeted beneficiaries influence performance of afforestation projects in Meru County to a great extent. The study also found that change control procedures; and use of the project baseline influence performance of afforestation projects in Meru County to a moderate extent. Also, the rate of projects supervision by managers of allocation of resources influence performance of afforestation projects in Meru County to a moderate extent. The source of funds was found to influence performance of afforestation projects in Meru County to a low extent. The study concluded that financial capacity had the greatest influence on performance of afforestation projects in Meru County, followed by stakeholder participation, then leadership while schedule management had the least influence on performance of afforestation projects in Meru County. The study recommends that stakeholder’s participation should be improved in project management to promote the implementation of project management since there will be little resistance from stakeholders. The study recommends that the project managers should provide the necessary resources and facilities for project management without under budgeting. The study recommends that the sustainability must be a key consideration when designing afforestation projects. The study recommends that the project management office or committee should continuously assess stakeholder interests; this will help to promote their buy-in and eliminate intergroup conflicts thereby improving project performance.