The relationship between beneficiaries participation in project formulation and project success. A study of donor funded school water tanks project in kitui district

Abstract

ln recent years, community participation has gained importance III community projects. Kenya successive development plans since independence in 1963 to the present, emphasis the centrality of popular participation in the development endeavour. The principle of community participation emphasis that, any development agency should not simply impose its authority upon the people in a given region, but should give them a voice in the management of the projects those affect them. Participation entails empowerment; that is, everybody's right to have a say in decisions concerning their own live. Participation is an instrument in the promotion of ideological or normative development goals such as social justice, equity and democracy. The thematic objective of this management research was on beneficiaries' participation with regards to school water tank projects in Kitui district. The researcher sought to establish the extent of participation and extent of project success and hence, to establish tbe rcJationship between the extent of participation and the extent of project success. Several variables that comprise the project life cycle were assessed. For the purposes of this study, spcci fie variables were initiation, consultation, and construction and post implementation/sustainability. Findings from the research lee! to conclusions, that beneficiaries' participation contributes to large ~tent to the success of projects. Hence beneficiaries participation in projects management enhances community right and duty to participate in solving their own problems, with greater responsibilities in assessing their needs, mobilizing local resources, suggesting new solutions, and sustaining or projects.