Participatory Approaches and Performance of Community Water Projects- a Case of World Bank Funded Programme Water Projects in Garissa County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish participatory approaches and performance of community water projects in Kenya, the case of Garissa County World Bank Funded Programme Water Projects. Specific objectives included to: determine how project initiation influence performance of community water projects, establish the extent to which project planning influence performance of community water projects, determine influence of project execution on performance of community water projects and examine how project monitoring and evaluation influence performance of community water projects in Garissa County, Kenya. The theories that anchored the study were Stakeholders' Theory and Participatory Theory. The thesis adopted a descriptive research design. Mixed methods were adopted for this study. Study population was project supervisors, contractors, chiefs, ward administrators, water engineers, quantity surveyors, architects and project managers, totalling to 238 stakeholders. The study had a sample size of 153 respondents derived by use of Yamane’s formula. Questionnaires and key interview guide were employed gather data. data was analyzed using descriptive statistics like percentage, means and standard deviation. Inferential statistics including correlation and regression were used to test the relationship between the variables. Tables were used to present the data. The study found out that stakeholder participation in project initiation influences project performance positively. When stakeholders are involved in needs analysis, proposing solutions and project identification it would increase project acceptability. Involvement of project beneficiaries through initiation of a project is a major factor to be considered in project implementation. Stakeholder’s participation in project planning was a paramount factor for smooth project implementation. On involving stakeholders during planning the study found out that it would affect performance negatively. The summary of findings portrayed that lack of good stakeholder participation in project planning lead to poor project implementation. The findings showed that stakeholder’s inadequate participation in project activities led to poor project implementation and end result was not met as expected. The study established that there was strong correlation of stakeholder’s participatory in project monitoring and evaluation on project implementation. The study realized that most projects do not receive feedback from the stakeholders regarding the quality. The study found out that stakeholders participatory in project monitoring and evaluation influenced project performance. It would lead to empowerment and increase accountability. The researcher concluded that participatory approaches in the four phases of the project cycle influences project performance. The study recommended that training beneficiaries on planning skills would help as the major reason for that scenario is that beneficiaries lack skills and planning is a technical phase compared with the other three. Advanced inquiry about project life cycle and quality of projects out to be carried out.