Factors influencing performance of county government projects: a case of Gatundu modern market, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Performance of projects is a concern for most project managers since this will guide in accounting for the resources provided and leads to customer’s satisfaction. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the performance of County Government projects, a case of Gatundu modern market, Ngénda Ward, Gatundu South Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to explore the influence of management competencies on performance of County Government projects, to determine the influence of public participation on the performance of County government projects, to examine the influence of monitoring and evaluation on the performance of County Government projects and to assess the influence of political interventions on the performance of County Government projects. The study was specifically carried out at the Gatundu modern market, in Ng’enda Ward, Kiambu County Kenya. The study used the theory of change as used in monitoring and evaluation. The study adopted descriptive research designs. The target population comprised of County Government staff in Gatundu Sub-County, local leaders in Ng’enda Ward, Gatundu market traders, and the shoppers in Gatundu modern market. The study adopted a probabilistic sampling technique where the stratified random technique targeting 269 respondents from the target population of 895. The primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to test the reliability and validity of the research instruments used. The collected data was later be analysed using SPSS, the study computed percentages, frequencies, mean, standard deviation, Coefficient of Variation, correlation analysis, regression analysis, ANOVA and Coefficients of determination to help analyse the data. Frequency tables, means, standard deviation (STD) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) were used to present the result of analysis, multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing performance of County Government Managed projects. The study found out that, management competencies is an important factor for the performance of projects, management experience, skilled staff, team’s expertise proper planning and effective communication were key. Public participation was also an important factor for performance of County projects with respondent feeling that there should be more forums to express their views and their opinions should be considered. Monitoring and evaluation was found to be important factor for performance of County Government projects, poor monitoring and evaluation was observed to be a limiting factor and the need for consistency for monitoring and evaluation in County Government projects. Political intervention was observed to negatively affect performance by demoralising workers, internal leadership conflict may lead to poor performance and political goodwill is necessary for performance of the project. The findings show only 54% of the respondents were satisfied with the performance of Gatundu Modern market. The study recommends that competent, skilled staff should be employed; the management should undertake risk management, effective planning and efficient communication, there should be more productive public participation and the County Government should share information on performance. The monitoring and evaluation needs to be enhanced and be more consistent.