Factors influencing the application of participatory monitoring and evaluation approach of managing development projects in Kenya: the case of local links project

Abstract

In the research that formed the basis of this report, we studied factors that influence the application of participatory monitoring and evaluation approach of managing development projects in Kenya, with a focus on the Local Links Project (LLP) in Kibera. Kibera is a low-class housing estate that is located about 7 kilometers to the west of Nairobi city.

The objectives of this study were to explore the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) model that was used, on the PM&E of the LLP; to examine the effect of the level of education of project stakeholders on PM&E of the LLP; to establish the influence of technical expertise of project stakeholders in M&E on PM&E of the LLP, and to examine the effect of planning for PM&E on PM&E of the LLP. This project is significant because its findings are critical not only to development projects in Kenya, but also to those in Africa as a whole.

By identifying the factors that influence the management of development projects and by suggesting ways by which they can be addressed, project stakeholders in Kenya and beyond can be able to manage their projects with greater success and minimal challenges. The major research methods that were employed in this project were applied from the broader perspective of the survey research design. The study had a target population of 1245 people and a sampling formula that was proposed by Yamane (1967) was used to obtain 175 sample units.

Questionnaires, personal interviews, focus group discussion, document analysis and direct observation were used to collect data from the respondents who comprised of the CARE-Kenya LLP staff, officials of selected CBOs, and the care givers. For data analysis, the statistical tools of mean and mode were widely used in the analysis of the data. Charts and tables were use to present quantitative data while descriptions were used to present qualitative data.

The major findings were that although the bottom-up PM&E model was used in the LLP, most of the stakeholders were not sufficiently empowered to fully play their role in the project. The study also found out that some of the stakeholders did not have any formal education thus, found it hard to conceptualize M&E and partake in its implementation. The study further established that 56% of the respondents lacked M&E skills that were a prerequisite for PM&E of the LLP; and that there were several aspects of PM&E that were not planned well or were not planned for at all.