| dc.description.abstract | Community based projects are the much needed vehicle which the poor and marginalized
members of society use in order to attain financial independence. Community based
organizations serve to bridge the gap between the ‗haves‘ and the ‗have-nots‘ of the
society. Studies have reported that community organizations face major challenges which
include poor leadership, inadequate skills and under-capitalization. The study assessed
the influence of Itabua-Muthatari community water projects‘ management on
sustainability of the community based project in Embu Sub County, Embu County. The
objectives of the study were: to establish the influence of capacity building on
sustainability of community based projects, assess the influence of accountability on
sustainability of community based projects and to assess the influence of stakeholders‘
participation on sustainability of community based projects. The theoretical framework of
this study was derived from the resilience theory. The study used descriptive survey
design. The population of the study was 1019 members and a sample of 285 respondents
was picked. The sample was picked using simple random sampling. Questionnaire was
used to collect data. Ten (10) Itabua-Muthatari water project members were used for Pilot
testing before the commencement of the study. Data analysis was done using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics was computed and data was
presented using tables. The study found that water project members should be trained on
water harvesting techniques, water use and management, horticulture, dairy farming,
green house farming and group leadership. The management should use the right
procurement procedures, prepare and present financial reports to members, audit books of
accounts as required, inform members of the financial transactions of the project in an
accountable and transparent manner. Active stakeholders influence the management to be
accountable and transparent management and make it to use the right procurement
procedures. Monitoring and evaluation influence sustainability of community based
projects as indicated by 59 % of members who strongly agreed that the monitoring and
evaluation enhance sustainability of projects, accountability, transparency and
sustainability of projects. Plans for M&E should be developed at the same time and
integrated with plans for the whole project. The generated information would help
government departments, NGOs and private sector dealing with community projects to be
able to understand the influence of capacity building, accountability, stakeholder
participation and M&E on sustainability of community project | en_US |
