DETERMINANTS OF EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION SYSTEMS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA
Ngeru Boniface Kimondo - Master of Science (Monitoring and Evaluation), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Patrick Karanja Ngugi - Department of Entrepreneurship and Procurement, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Many governments worldwide have been struggling with how to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery and good governance. In Kenya, the civil societies and the general public have always advocated for a decentralized government where resources and services would be brought nearer to the people. Some of the developing countries, however, are pursuing the path of outcomes orientation by building or improving their government M&E approach. It is from this premise that the research sought to examine the determinants of effective implementation of M&E systems in county governments in Kenya. Specifically, the study were; To assess the role of stakeholder participation in effective implementation of M&E systems in county governments in Kenya; To assess the role of M&E reports in effective implementation of M&E systems in county governments in Kenya; To examine the role of M&E budgetary allocation in effective implementation of M&E systems in county governments in Kenya; and To establish the role that M&E Training plays in effective application of M&E systems in county governments in Kenya. This research was guided by Public participation Theory, Program Theory, Theory of Budgeting and Human Capital Theory. This study adopted descriptive research design. The intended population for the study covered the M&E units in all counties in Kenya. The study used census method given the target population was small and therefore a sample could not be representative. The study used face to face administration of questionnaires to collect primary data from the respondents. Data compiled was subjected to editing and formatting before organizing it for coding and entry into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 24) Software. Quantitative data was analysed using multiple regression analysis while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis by SPSS. The statistical results that were produced from the data was presented in bar graphs and tables for easier interpretation and discussion. Based on the statistical data analysis the researcher was able to draw possible conclusions and inferences from the data collected. The regression coefficients which show the relationship between the independent variables (stakeholder participation, M & E reports, budgetary allocation and M & E trainings) and dependent variable (implementation of M &E systems) were strong, positive and significant. This implies that these determinants are very significant therefore need to be considered in order to enhance implementation of M &E systems in the county governments of Kenya. There is the need to strengthen the governance structures, form community level project monitoring and evaluation management committees and the sensitization of beneficiary communities of projects and programmes on the need to participate in the monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes. There is need to provide adequate funds for the M & E activities and timely disbursement of the M & E funds. Further the allocated money should be channelled to the right use. The study recommends that the effectiveness of M & E systems in the county governments can be enhanced when trained human personnel learn how to apply technical and systematic methodologies in executing these activities. Therefore, the county governments should consider offering or sponsoring the M&E staff to formal professional monitoring and evaluation training courses on M & E systems in the county governments. This will ensure relevant and useful results, economical use of resources and achievement of objectives to enhance service delivery in the county governments of Kenya.
