STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION IN SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER PROJECTS IN MAKUENI COUNTY, KENYA

Elias Shamala Muhatia, Dr. Alice Wainaina

Abstract


The acceptability and continuity of community interventions beyond the funding and implementation period is crucial to ensure sustained positive outcomes for the beneficiaries. Despite the significance of sustainability, projects and programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of communities fail within a few years after formal completion. Therefore, this study examined two monitoring and evaluation principles; stakeholder engagement and accountability in water projects in Makueni County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to examine stakeholder assessment in sustainability of water projects and investigate managerial accountability in sustainability of water projects in Makueni County, Kenya. The key theories used to develop the study included Stakeholder Theory and Accountability Theory. The researcher employed a descriptive design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gather data on the subject of stakeholder engagement for monitoring and evaluation in the sustainability of water projects in Makueni County, Kenya. The study targeted 26 water projects funded by JICA through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and managed by County Government of Makueni, NGOs and beneficiary communities in the region. The study used simple random sampling technique to select respondents from the targeted households. The researcher also used purposive sampling to select representatives from four organisations and one official from the Ministry of Water in Makueni County Government. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from the respondents. SPSS (version 28) and Microsoft Excel software were used to analyse the quantitative data. Descriptive and inferential analyses were derived and presented in tables and charts. On the other hand, thematic analysis was used to categorise and derive insights from the qualitative data. The study found that stakeholder engagement for monitoring and evaluation influenced the sustainability of water projects in Makueni County, Kenya. The study specifically identified that 48.8% of variability in model on sustainability of water projects could be explained by changes in the selected independent variables of stakeholder assessment and managerial accountability. Using ANOVA test, the study determined that the variability was statistically significant at p<0.05 level [F (2, 357) = 55.813, p = 0.001]. However, a variability of 48.8% implied that there were other factors which could influence sustainability of water projects. The study further determined that the County Government of Makueni and NGOs in the region applied strategies such as employing local communities in water projects to enhance ownership and sustainability. Besides, charging an affordable utility fee on water projects guaranteed sustainability of water projects even after the exit of implementing partners. The findings of the study are beneficial to organisations and individuals involved in projects and programmes aimed at addressing water issues in ASAL regions. Project officers can also use insights from the study to enhance the sustainability of community interventions. The study further contributes to the pool of knowledge regarding the sustainability of projects at the local, regional and global levels.

Key Words: Monitoring and Evaluation Principles, Stakeholder Engagement, Stakeholder Assessment, Accountability, Sustainability


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References


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