Factors Affecting Successful Completion of Community Based Projects in Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, the developmental scope is not narrow but a very wide one, considering that it not only includes just the economic development but also the growth on social front, empowerment, the living standards, women and child development, education and awareness of its citizens. Community Based projects have come in handy to compliment governments efforts in meeting communities development goals. This study aimed at bringing into perspective the factors that affect successful completion of Community Based Projects. The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of stakeholders’ participation, project management skills and political influence in successful completion of projects. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The research design that was used in this study was a descriptive survey that seeks to examine the factors that influence the successful completion of community based projects. For this study, the target population was the project managers of 150 CBOs based in Rongai sub-county according to the department of social services.The five wards in Rongai sub-county served as clusters. From each ward, eight community based projects were randomly selected using simple random sampling technique.The sample therefore comprised of 40 project managers from each of the project.Primary data was collected for the study using self-administered questionnaire. This study used a quantitative method of data analysis. Descriptive statistics such as the simple frequency distributions was used.The data was collected summarized and categorized in a frequency distribution table out of which graphical and chart presentations was generated to give visual image of respondent responses. The study found that (50%) 0f the respondents agreed that the successfully completed projects serve their intended purpose, 42% strongly agreed, 45% disagreed and 7.5% disagreed with that. On whether community based projects completed within the scheduled time, 5% strongly agreed, 42.5% agreed, 45% disagreed and 7.5% strongly disagreed. Finally, the opinion of respondents on whether the projects met the required quality 50% and 32.5% were of the same opinion on the projects' completion within the budget. However 10% of the respondents strongly disagree that the projects were completed within budget and another 10% held a similar opinion on scheduled project time. The study concluded that stakeholders’ involvement, project management skills and political goodwill affect successful completion of community based projects. The study recommended that there should be a more inclusive and consultative process with stakeholders for initiation, implementation and completion of community based projects.