PROJECT DESIGN FACTORS INFLUENCING IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS: A CASE OF MARSABIT AND ISIOLO COUNTIES, KENYA
Ahmed Abdullahi Abdi - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. John Mbugua - Lecturer, ODEL, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This purpose of this study was to investigate the project design factors influencing the implementation of infrastructural project in devolved governments; a case of Marsabit and Isiolo Counties. The study was guided by five objectives. The objectives sought to establish how project planning, project leadership, community involvement, resources availability and commitment of project participants influenced the implementation of infrastructure projects in Marsabit and Isiolo counties. The study was guided by descriptive research survey design. The target population was 56 project personnel involved in the management of the projects and 320 households. The sample size for the study was 48 personnel involved in the management of the projects and 175 household heads. Data was collected using questionnaires for the personnel while interview was conducted for the household heads. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data while Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was used to measure relationship between independent and dependent variables. Findings revealed that project planning, project leadership, community involvement, resources availability and commitment of project participants influenced the implementation of infrastructure projects in Marsabit and Isiolo counties. Persons product-moment correlation revealed that there was a strong, positive correlation between project planning and implementation of infrastructure projects, (r= 0.682, p= 0.05). There was a positive correlation between project leadership and implementation of infrastructure projects (r= 0.512). There was a positive correlation between community involvement and implementation of infrastructure projects (r= 0.623). There was a positive correlation between resources availability and implementation of infrastructure projects(r= 0.543). It was also revealed that there was a strong, positive correlation between project participants’ commitment and implementation of infrastructure projects which was statistically significant (r= 0.732, (p = 0.05). The study concluded that project planning influenced the implementation of infrastructure projects. It was also concluded that community involvement influenced the implementation of infrastructure projects. It was further concluded that resources availability influenced the implementation of infrastructure projects. The study also concluded that project participants’ commitment influenced the implementation of infrastructure projects and lastly it was concluded that there was a positive correlation between project participants’ commitment and implementation of infrastructure projects. It was also recommended that the county governments of Marsabit and Isiolo should focus on project leadership in the training of leaders as this was important in the implementation of infrastructure projects. The study further recommended that the county governments should involve the community for better implementation of infrastructure projects. Lastly it was recommended that the county governments of Marsabit and Isiolo should avail the required resources for the implementation of infrastructure projects. The study suggested that there is still room for further investigation in this area, more studies should be carried out in other counties and in other projects undertaken in devolved governments. The researcher therefore suggests more exploration on various ways of involving the community members to enhance the implementation of infrastructure development projects. There is need for assessment and further studies on the challenges this will pose for the successful implementation of infrastructure projects.