Community Participation and Sustainability of Rural Water Projects: a Case of Siaya-bondo Water Project in Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

Beneficiaries are integrated into various project management cycle stages throughout the different phases. Despite Siaya County’s situation, community participation doesn’t guarantee sustainability. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of participatory needs assessment on sustainability, as well as to analyze how participatory planning affects sustainability, assess the impact of participatory implementation on sustainability, and examine the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation on sustainability in rural water projects of Siaya-Bondo water projects in Siaya County, Kenya. Based on Community participation theory, the study was carried out. From a population of 250, a sample of 152 was chosen using a sample random sampling technique. Using questionnaires, interview schedules, and observation guides, data was collected and described quantitatively using mean scores, frequencies, and standard deviations. To test reliability, piloting was conducted on the questionnaire. Against mean score of 3.210 and standard deviation of 0.649, needs analysis saw a standard deviation of 0.619 and improved mean score to 4.071. Participatory needs analysis has a positive effect on sustainability. Compared to sustainability, participatory planning had a higher mean score (3.913) and standard deviation (0.786). The influence of participatory planning on sustainability has been established. Against a mean score of 3.210 and standard deviation of 0.649, participatory implementation had a mean score of 3.677 and standard deviation of 0.746. Through participatory implementation, sustainability was improved. Against a mean score of 3.210 by sustainability, which was 0.649 standard deviation, participatory monitoring and evaluation did better with 3.285 mean score composites and 0.646 standard deviation. Monitoring and evaluation have no effect on the long-term sustainability of Siaya-Bondo community water project in Siaya County, Kenya. Beneficiaries should be included in the following: needs assessment, planning, implementation, and participatory monitoring and evaluation of community projects.