STAKEHOLDERS’ PARTICIPATION AND PERFORMANCE OF WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROJECTS IN EMBU COUNTY, KENYA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the influence of stakeholders’ participation on performance of WASH projects in Embu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess the effect of stakeholders’ participation in project identification, project planning, project implementation, and effect of stakeholder participation in project monitoring and evaluation on performance of WASH projects in Embu County. Additionally, the theories guiding the study includes performance, stakeholder, expectancy, and system theory. A descriptive study design was adopted. The target population of this study comprised of 120 project key stakeholders of WASH projects in Embu County. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. A pilot test of 10% of the sample size (12) was used to check the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Data validity was determined through a content validity index while reliability was computed through Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. SPSS computer version 28 was used for data analysis. As such, quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presentation done in tables. Correlation and regressions analysis was used to establish the relationship between the study variables. The project practitioners, beneficiaries, researchers, Government and Project donors are expected to benefit from the study since it recommends ways to improve their participation in WASH projects in Embu County. Findings reveal that; there is a a moderate significant relationship between stakeholder participation in project identification and project performance (r= 0.349, p-value=0.002), a strong significant relationship between project identification and project performance (r= 0.644, p-value=0.000), a strong significant relationship between project implementation and project performance (r= 0.612, p-value=0.004),and a strong significant relationship between project monitoring and evaluation and project performance (r= 0.677, p-value=0.000). This study recommends that; all projects undertaken by the government or development partners should be implemented based on the needs or expectations of the community, project developers should clearly specify a framework through which project stakeholders will participate in project planning stage, input of stakeholders should not be ignored but should be carefully considered during project implementation, and 4he government and other development partners need to encourage stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation processes.
Key Words: stakeholders’ participation, project identification, project planning, project implementation, project monitoring and evaluation, performance