FACTORS INFLUENCING SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY BASED PROJECTS IN KENYA: A CASE OF KIIRUA KATHITA WATER PROJECT IN MERU COUNTY
Irene Mwendwa Marangu - Masters of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Peter Keiyoro (Ph.D) - School of Open and Distance Learning, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The Sustainability of community based projects is always a very sensitive area for the success of projects but lately has not been taken into account. It is important to ensure the projects is sustainable to meet the needs as to why it was incorporated. To ensure this takes place for successful maintenance of projects there was need for considering common factors influencing it. The study aimed at improving the sustainability of community based project as intended. It was then developed due to the unsatisfied community people who were not able to access water yet the project was implemented. The specific study objectives in this case include community participation, projects level of funding, training, monitoring and evaluation. Many studies have been in the past conducted regarding sustainability of community based projects and since it is a crucial sector in development, hence adapted some theories like McClelland Achievement need change theory, theory of change and Freirean Theory of Dialogue. Both the qualitative and quantitative methods of research were used whereby the study population involved the water project beneficiaries within the community, the staff, the stakeholders, ministry of water governmental departments and the entire county of Meru related water offices. Sampling proportionate random sampling technique was used to collect samples for data purposes. The target population for the study was 267 with Kiirua village members being 260, community representatives 3 and 4 key informants. From that target population, a sample size of 80 was drawn using the simple random sampling technique. Open ended questionnaires were used to administer samples to the respondents involved for them to fill them, from where the study information was gathered for findings. For the questionnaires 70 were filled and returned and 10 were not returned for findings. The study used secondary sources of information like journals, articles and books from other researchers and the internet to refer to other sources based on community based projects. Quantitative and quantitative data were analysed using the methods of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and presented using frequency distribution tables and figures. Based on the findings, community participation greatly influenced the project and also brought a sense of ownership to the project beneficiaries. The study revealed that funding of the project had an influence on adequacy and allocation of funds disbursed to cater for operations within the project for sustainability. Many respondents also revealed that during monitoring and evaluation of the project, they were not involved hence were not aware of its progress. Training indicated that expertise was greatly required by the projects stakeholders to make them familiar with the processes through experience to avoid any mismanagement. The findings also indicated there was a correlation between independent and dependent variables on sustainability of the Project. The study therefore recommends that community participation should be highly recommended since they contribute a lot for the success of the project, also funding through disbursement and allocation of available funds should be done adequately for the continual. Training is important for people to express their expertise in various areas of operation. For monitoring and evaluation it recommends that the community awareness of the project success should be taken into account to bring understanding on its progress for the sake of future planning and get to find solutions to arising project problems.
