Factors influencing sustainability of community service order projects in Kiambu county, Kenya
Abstract
The Community Service Orders (CSO) programme has been in existence in Kenya for
12 years now. Numerous projects have so far been implemented under the programme.
However, no project sustainability study has ever been done to ascertain whether the
projects were producing their intended economic and social benefits after
implementation is complete. This study therefore sought to examine the factors
influencing sustainability of community service orders projects in Kiambu County of
Kenya. The objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of project
identification on sustainability of CSO projects, to determine how training in project
management among community service officers influences sustainability of CSO
projects, to establish how stakeholder management influences sustainability of CSO
projects and to find out how funding of the CSO programme influences sustainability
of CSO projects. The study was conducted in Kiambu County targeting all the 40
community service officers from the six field stations in the County. The study was
therefore a census. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Data was collected
from the target population using structured questionnaires which were selfadministered.
A total of 37 questionnaires were completed and returned for analysis.
The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of statistical
package for social sciences (SPSS). The results were presented through frequencies and
percentages. The information was displayed by use of tables each accompanied by
analytical interpretation in prose. The study findings indicate that project identification,
training in project management, stakeholder management and funding do influence
sustainability of community service order projects. The study recommends that project
identification needs to be participatory to ensure ownership and commitment. It is also
recommended that community service officers should be trained in project management
so as to have the necessary skills to ensure that the projects they implement are
sustainable. The study also recommends that a thorough stakeholder analysis be
conducted and the stakeholders be managed well. Funding for the projects needs to be
enhanced by putting in place formidable cost recovery measures and diversifying
sources of project funds. This will forestall over reliance on government funds for
project sustainability.
Citation
A Research Project Report Submitted In Partial Fulfilment For The Award Of The Degree Of Master Of Arts In Project Planning And Management Of The University Of Nairobi 2013Publisher
University of Nairobi School Of Continuing And Distance Education
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5968]