THE INFLUENCE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECTS: A STUDY OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
THE INFLUENCE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION PRACTICES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECTS: A STUDY OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Bundotich Tuitoek Mark - Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Background: Effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is critical for the success of energy conservation projects, yet its application in the automobile industry in developing economies remains underexplored. This study investigated the influence of M&E practices on the performance of energy conservation projects within the automobile industry in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Methods: A descriptive research design was employed, targeting 120 energy conservation projects. A stratified random sample of 92 respondents, including project managers, technical experts, government regulators, and employees, was selected. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple regression) with SPSS Version 25. Results: The study found that M&E practices—specifically the planning process (β = 0.779, p<0.05), technical expertise (β = 0.751, p<0.05), stakeholder involvement (β = 0.764, p<0.05), and management participation (β = 0.709, p<0.05)—had a statistically significant positive influence on project performance. The regression model explained 78.4% of the variance in project performance (Adjusted R² = 0.784). Conclusion: The study concludes that robust M&E systems are indispensable for enhancing the performance of energy conservation initiatives in the automotive sector. It recommends early and inclusive stakeholder engagement, investment in technical capacity building, strong managerial leadership, and the adoption of data-driven, flexible planning to improve project outcomes.
