MONITORING PROJECT COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF WATER PROJECTS IN LOWER EASTERN REGION, KENYA
MONITORING PROJECT COMMUNICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF WATER PROJECTS IN LOWER EASTERN REGION, KENYA
Juliana Mbii - Doctor of Philosophy in Project Management, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology [JKUAT], Nairobi, Kenya
Anaya Senelwa - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology [JKUAT], Nairobi, Kenya
Yusuf Muchelule - Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology [JKUAT], Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Effective communication is fundamental to successful project implementation because it facilitates information sharing, coordination, reporting and timely decision-making. Nevertheless, many water projects in Kenya continue to experience implementation challenges associated with ineffective communication systems, resulting in delays, cost overruns and poor project performance. This study examined the influence of monitoring project communication on the performance of water projects in Lower Eastern Region, Kenya, and evaluated the moderating effect of project environment. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design based on the pragmatism research philosophy and employed a mixed methods approach. A sample of 336 water projects was selected through proportionate stratified random sampling from a target population of 2,665 water projects, while 39 key informants were purposively selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, simple linear regression and hierarchical regression analysis. The findings revealed that monitoring project communication positively and significantly influenced the performance of water projects. Furthermore, project environment significantly strengthened the relationship between monitoring project communication and project performance. The study concludes that effective communication systems characterized by timely reporting, feedback, coordination and information sharing significantly improve project implementation and overall project performance, particularly within supportive organizational environments. The study recommends strengthening communication management systems, enhancing stakeholder information sharing, investing in communication technologies and promoting supportive organizational environments to improve the implementation and performance of water projects.
