Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Practices on Sustainability of County-funded Indigenous Chicken Projects: a Case of Mitoto Local Chicken Projects in Kiminini, Trans-nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Most of the agricultural projects funded by governments have not been sustainable. This Study focuses on indigenous chicken projects in Kiminini Sub-County, Trans-Nzioa County. Four objectives, namely guided the course; to establish the influence of capacity building in M&E, to determine the effect of the planning process in M&E, to examine the impact of data management in M&E, and to assess the implications of M&E budgeting on the sustainability of county-funded indigenous chicken projects. The Study used two theories, namely, Theory of Change and Resource-Based View Theory. The Study adopts a descriptive research design. The study targets indigenous chicken farmers Sub-county Agricultural administrator, veterinary officers, consultant officers, and Agricultural extension officers in Kiminini Sub-County, Trans-Nzioa County. From the target population of 172, a sample of 172 was selected for this Study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Questionnaires were administered as crucial instruments for data collection. Quantitative and Qualitative data were analyzed and presented through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. The study aimed to find out whether M&E practices have any influence on the sustainability of County-Funded indigenous chicken projects. Descriptive statistics, for instance, frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation, were used for all quantitative variables, for qualitative data, was analyzed from the open-ended questions and presented in prose. The Study found that M&E practices significantly influence county-funded indigenous chicken projects in Kiminini, Trans-Nzioa County.The target population was 172 stakeholders in county-funded indigenous chicken projects (county agriculture director, county M&E officers, agricultural extension officers, county project department officers, and farmers in county-funded indigenous chicken projects). The study revealed that every unit increase in M&E budgeting leads to a 0.730 increase in the sustainability of county-funded indigenous chicken projects. The Study also revealed that funds allocated to M&E influence M&E budgeting, as shown by a mean of 3.075. Besides, the study revealed that independence of the M&E unit improves the performance of the unit and thus sustainability of the project as shown by a mean of 2.451. Furthermore, adequacy of funds enhances frequency of monitoring. The study concludes that human capacity building is key in the sustainability of projects; M&E planning process, M&E budgeting and data management in M&E have a positive influence on sustainability of County-Funded indigenous chicken projects. The study recommends proper planning process in M&E to ensure project sustainability. That the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive guideline on funding or budget allocation for M&E function, the government ought to formulate regulatory framework that gives guidelines on how the county government resources are used in County-Funded chicken projects. This research informs the county governments therefore to put in place mechanisms and policies that guides all the projects conceived and funded by the county government.