MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) CAPACITY BUILDING AND PERFORMANCE OF WATER AND SANITATION PROJECTS IN MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Water and sanitation projects are crucial for the development and well-being of any nation, particularly in developing countries like Kenya. However, water and sanitation projects in Migori County, Kenya, face a range of challenges that hinder their effective implementation and sustainability. The general objective of the study is to examine the influence of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity building on performance of water and sanitation projects in Migori County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the influence of knowledge sharing on performance of water and sanitation projects in Migori County, Kenya and to evaluate the influence of resource allocation on performance of water and sanitation projects in Migori County, Kenya. This study was anchored on Social Exchange Theory and Resource-Based View (RBV). The study used descriptive research design. The focus was water and sanitation projects in the County. The unit of observation was employees involved in the projects, national government representatives and local authorities from the county (Ministry of Water and Sanitation, 2023). According to the county report (2023) Migori County has 105 ongoing water and sanitation projects. This study targeted three individuals in each project including project manager, national government representative and local authority representative. The total population was therefore 315 respondents. The study’s sample size was reached at using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination formula. The 173 respondents were chosen with the help of stratified random sampling technique. Before the data could be analysed, the researcher ensured the data is checked for completeness, followed by data editing, data coding, data entry, and data cleaning. Inferential and descriptive statistics were employed for analysis of quantitative data with the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25). The study results were presented through use of tables and figures. From the pilot test results; all the variables were found to have Cronbach alpha value greater than 0.7. This suggested that all the variables were reliable and hence there is no need to change the measures and indicators in the questions. This implies that the research instrument met all the requirements. The study concludes that  knowledge sharing has a positive and significant influence on performance of water and sanitation projects in Migori County, Kenya. The study also concludes that resource allocation has a positive and significant influence on performance of water and sanitation projects in Migori County, Kenya. Based on the findings, the study recommends that by offering regular training programs that focus on both technical skills and community engagement, staff members can better understand local challenges, such as water scarcity, poor infrastructure, and health risks, which are prevalent in the region.

Key Words: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Capacity Building, Knowledge Sharing, Resource Allocation, Performance, Water and Sanitation Projects