Influence Of Stakeholder’s Involvement In The Performance Of Public Projects: A Case Study Of Moi Stadium In Embu County Kenya

Abstract

Involvement of stakeholders leads to empowerment and joint ownership of the project. To increase participation, the project should start with a consultation process that moves to negotiations and ends with joint decisions. Stakeholders have many benefits among them are: it ensures that the project plans are a reflection of the real needs and priorities; it develops an environment of trust by allowing the voices of the stakeholders to be heard; it makes the project accountable to the stakeholders and finally; it promotes transparency in the actions of the project. The introduction of devolved governments has resulted in bringing in leadership closer to the people. The objective of this research was therefore to investigate how stakeholder’s involvement influences the performance of projects in Embu County. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: determine influences of stakeholders’ involvement on the performance of county projects, especially the extent of the stakeholder’s involvement in project identification, stakeholder’s inputs in planning, stakeholder’s involvement in project execution as well as the top management support in monitoring and evaluation in the performance of Moi Stadium upgrading process in Embu County. The study was anchored on two major theories which are: Stakeholders’ theory and the Kanter Theory of Change. Descriptive research design was used while the target populations were residents of Manyatta, Runyenjes, Mbeere North and Mbeere South sub counties all in Embu County. Simple random sampling method was employed in getting samples from the population. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, and were further analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical data techniques. The findings are presented in form of frequency distribution tables for easier interpretation and understanding.