PROJECT PLANNING PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
PROJECT PLANNING PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Nyakundi W. Onwong’a - Student, Department of Management Science, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Lucy Kamau Wanjiru - Lecturer, Department of Management Science, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The persistent underperformance of public road infrastructure projects, characterised by significant cost overruns and failure to meet quality standards, represents a critical development challenge in Nairobi City County, Kenya, despite substantial government investment. This study empirically investigated the impact of specific project planning practices—namely, budget, schedule, risk, and communication management—on the performance of road construction projects. Grounded in a theoretical framework integrating the Theory of Constraints, Cybernetics, Enterprise Risk Management, and Resource Allocation Theory, the research employed an explanatory design. A census of 63 project professionals (managers, engineers, and quantity surveyors) involved in 21 road projects was conducted using validated, semi-structured questionnaires. Data analysis via SPSS v.22 incorporated both descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple linear regression. The findings revealed strong positive outcomes, with 82.76% of respondents reporting projects completed within budget, 87.94% confirming schedule adherence, and 89.66% affirming achieved quality standards. The regression model was statistically significant (p < .001), explaining 68.7% of the variance in project performance, and identified all four planning practices as significant positive predictors. Schedule management emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.350, p = 0.028), followed by risk management (β = 0.211, p = 0.021), budget management (β = 0.142, p = 0.035), and communication management (β = 0.126, p = 0.036). The study concludes that the rigorous application of these core planning practices is fundamental to successful project outcomes. It provides actionable recommendations for project teams to adopt advanced planning tools and enforce rigorous controls, and urges county policymakers to develop standardised regulatory frameworks to institutionalise these practices, thereby ensuring the efficient and effective utilisation of public resources in the infrastructure sector.
