Influence of Evaluation Practices on the Performance of Water Projects in Makueni Sub County of Makueni, Kenya

Abstract

Modern development discourses identify evaluation practices as being at the core of project delivery. Performance of most interventions has traditionally been evaluated on the basis of the famous “iron triangle” criteria comprising of cost, time and quality. While there is a palpable need to improve project performance by embodying modern evaluation techniques; research in this domain has not kept pace with the wider project’s measurement agenda of increasing efficiency and effectiveness. The rigor with which funded projects are evaluated in Kenya seems simplistic. Since performance of most projects is a matter of interest due to huge capital investments they require; evaluating their performance is critical. Most evaluations applied are mirrored by traditional approaches focusing on cost, time and scope dimensions that are simplistic and continue to impact project performance: a phenomenon that explains disenfranchisement by many stakeholders today. Seemingly little work has focused on evaluating projects; hence, the study aimed at examining the influence of evaluation practices on the performance of water projects in Makueni Sub-County of Makueni County, Kenya. A descriptive research design was used to investigate the study objectives. The target population of this study was all water projects in Makueni Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya. 204 participants were sampled randomly. In gathering data from the specified target demographic sample, the researcher utilized questionnaires. In order to provide a cross tabulation tables with the quantitative information based on main research questions, the SPSS was utilized to perform descriptive statistics, including percentages, averages, and standard deviation. The researcher guaranteed the respondents that the study takes the necessary precautions in accordance with the highest standards of ethical guidelines.