DETERMINANTS OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OF DONOR-FUNDED POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAMS IN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA

Yegon Edith Chepkemoi - University of Nairobi, Kenya

Dr Johnbosco M Kisimbii (Ph.D.) - University of Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The sustainability of donor-funded poverty reduction programs is a major challenge facing Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya. The goal of this study was to examine the determinants of the sustainability of donor-funded poverty reduction programs in non-governmental organizations in Mombasa County, Kenya. A thorough literature review was conducted to identify research gaps, leading to the following objectives: to determine how financial management influence the sustainability of donor-funded poverty reduction programs in non-governmental organizations in Mombasa County; to assess how the technical capacity of project team influences the sustainability of donor-funded poverty reduction programs in non-governmental organizations in Mombasa County; to examine the influence of politics on the sustainability of donor-funded poverty reduction programs in non-governmental organizations in Mombasa County and; to establish the extent to which community participation influences sustainability of donor-funded poverty reduction programs in non-governmental organizations in Mombasa County. The study was based on two theoretical foundations namely: participatory and sustainability theories. The study adopts the descriptive research design. Data was collected from 117 NGO officials using questionnaires as well as 6 sub-county administrators using interviews. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive tests to be undertaken in this study included frequencies, percentages, and means. Inferential statistics included Pearson Correlation and Multivariate Regression analysis. Data from interviews was subjected to content analysis. The findings show that financial management affected the sustainability of donor-funded poverty alleviation projects in various ways. Resources were thus put to good use which enhanced the sustainability of projects. Pearson Correlation results that show that there was positive and statistically significant relationship between the sustainability of poverty reduction projects and financial Management (r=0.837, p<0.01). Technical capacity of project team also enhanced effective implementation of projects (r=0.792, p<0.01). It was also made clear that there was a close relationship between politics and implementation of poverty alleviation projects in the study area (r=0.932, p<0.01). In some instances, politicians made it hard for projects to be implemented as anticipated due to interferences. Experts from the community could offer their support to the project, which could enhance its sustainability (r=0.868, p<0.01). Based on the findings of the study, eight recommendations were made. First, it is important to have adequate financing since it could affect implementation of projects. Effort should be to ensure that finances are used carefully and efficiently to avoid wastage of resources. All limitations arising from mismanagement and corruption should be dealt with. Regular training of project team should be undertaken to enhance their capacity in project management. Additionally, there should effort to identify training needs among project team so as to offer targeted training for enhanced efficacy of their needs Political interference should be promptly dealt with whenever it is occurs. Effort should be made to enhance the support of politicians before the start of projects. Community buy-in of poverty alleviation projects should be undertaken before the start of donor-funded projects. A participatory framework should always integrated into projects at design stages for streamlined management of community participation.

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