| dc.description.abstract | The modem business environment characterized by cutthroat competition requires
innovative organizations. Modem management theory recognizes the project approach as
imperative in dealing with an uncertain environment (Charlie and Christie, 1992).
The number of NGOs operating in Kenya continues to increase during the 1980s and 1990s.
Likewise, the role NGOs are playing in development has also continued to increase during
the same period. At the same time, donors have shifted their funding channels with funding
to NGOs increasing while that of state has been declining. It is against this background that
this study set out to establish determinants of success in NGO projects in Kenya.
The objective of this study was to establish factors that are critical to the success of NGO
projects in Kenya, establish key tools used at both the planning and implementation stages
of the projects and establish risks inherent in the management of these projects.
The population of this study comprised of all the NGOs registered and having their
headquarters in Nairobi. This is because Nairobi is the social, economic and political center
of Kenya and majority of these NGOs have their headquarters there. This was according to
the NGO Co-ordination Board Directory (2003). The factors being studied did not vary
substantially by region across the country (Mabururu, 2003).
To constitute the population were 470 NGOs with headquarters in Nairobi. The NGO Coordination
Board directory provided details of these NGOs' names, registration number,
postal and physical address, telephone numbers, contact persons, sector(s) and area of
operation.
The study found out that projects were central in delivering NGO aims, but still projects
failed in Kenyan NGOs. Evaluation of the NGOs was present and highly valued but there
was need to involve all the stakeholders in designing of the evaluation criteria to make it
comfortable to all levels of management and staff. Bottom Up planning is to be encouraged
in order to reduce the risks inherent in projects and encourage participation
The factors critical to success of NGO projects ill Kenya were: need for project
management skills; need for participatory evaluation and beneficiary participation; Political
aspects especially strengthening of civil society, policy advocacy and compatibility between
political and operational aspects of projects and concern for project risks at the planning
stage. | en |
