Determinants of community participation in the implementation of development projects: A case of Garissa sewerage project

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of community participation in the implementation of development projects a case of Garissa Sewerage Project. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. This study employed a descriptive survey research design. The sample comprised of 138. Data were collected through questionnaire and interview guide. Findings revealed that community members were unaware about the of the Sewerage project. The local members were of the opinion that the development projects undertaken in their locality had not been implemented through the participation of all. The study also found that even the local leaders were not involved in project planning and implementation. It was also revealed that involvement decision making affected community participation in Garissa Sewerage development project. The local members agreed that Sewerage development project was run by people from other areas. The local members had never been called for a meeting concerning Sewerage development projects. Findings also revealed that there were social factors that affected community participation in Garissa Sewerage development projects. For example local members indicated that education level influenced the participation of the community in the development projects at a high extent. Findings further showed that the local members indicated that the attitude of the community members influenced their participation on development project. It was also revealed that managerial involvement influenced community participation in Garissa Sewerage development project. For example, the local members indicated that they were not involved in the operations and running of the Sewerage project. It was also revealed that donors made decisions about developmental projects while the local members disagreed that they felt dissatisfied with the decisions made by the management of the development projects. Based on the findings, the study concluded that there were factors affecting community participation in Garissa Sewerage development projects. The community members were not aware about the of the Sewerage project. The development projects undertaken in their locality had not been implemented through participation of all. The study also concluded that members did not participate in planning of Garissa development project. The study also concluded that even the local leaders were not involved in project planning and implementation as indicated by majority. It was also concluded that community members viewed that opinions of every one were not heard and respected. The study also concluded that decision making influence community participation in Garissa Sewerage development project. The community around were not involved in the management of Sewerage development projects. The local members indicated that they were not involved in the operations and running of the Sewerage project. The study recommended that there should be measures put in place to involve the community in decision making in Garissa Sewerage development project. The local community should be empowered through education so that they fully participated in development projects and lastly that the management should be empowered so that they are able to participate in development projects. A study on the influence of community attitude on the implementation of community development projects should be conducted and lastly a study on community level of empowerment on the implementation of community development projects should be conducted.