PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER PROJECTS IN MT KENYA REGION, KENYA

Abstract

The involvement of communities in corporate social responsibility efforts is considered a necessity. Although there are many benefits associated with community participation in corporate social responsibility activities, many organizations do not involve these communities and when they do it is for the organizations selfish reasons. Therefore, this study sought to examine the influence of public participation on implementation of water projects in Mt Kenya Region, Kenya. The study also sought to examine the influence of public consultation and public relationship management on implementation of water projects in Mt Kenya Region, Kenya. A descriptive design was adopted in this study. The study targeted the 8 counties in Mt Kenya region. The total population was 420 consisting of 60 community leaders,40 government officials,6  project management committees and 12 county water engineers. The sample size was obtained using the Nassim formula. The 130 respondents were chosen with the help of stratified random sampling technique. Primary data was collected through use of semi structured questionnaires. The study also conduct pilot test to test the validity and the reliability of the data collection instrument. The data collection instrument generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Data from the close ended questions was analysed by use of inferential and descriptive statistics with the help of Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 22). Descriptive statistics included percentages, mean, standard deviations and frequency tables. The findings were represented in tables. The relationship between the independent variables and dependent variable was analyzed by use of correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The study concludes that public consultation has a positive and significant influence on implementation of water projects in Mt Kenya Region, Kenya. The study also concludes that public relationship management has a positive and significant influence on implementation of water projects in Mt Kenya Region, Kenya. Based on the findings, the study recommends that training and capacity building programs are needed in which facilitators who are identified and trained by the companies can interact with and exchange ideas with local communities and, at the same time, instill new ideas. The training should be broad and touch on all areas relating to development, not narrowly on project identification and implementation. Once the community have been sensitized and encouraged to take the initiative in this direction, external support could be sought for more capacity building

Key Words: Public Participation, Public Consultation, Public Relationship Management, Implementation of Water Projects in Mt Kenya Region, Kenya