BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT MOBILISATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MBOONI EAST SUB- COUNTY, KENYA
BOARDS OF MANAGEMENT MOBILISATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MBOONI EAST SUB- COUNTY, KENYA
Abednego Katelo Kyau - Doctor of Education Candidate, Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Jeremiah M. Kalai - Supervisors and Professors, Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Ursulla A. Okoth - Supervisors and Professors, Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Globally, over 90 million children benefit from School Feeding Programmes (SFPs) annually, yet programme sustainability remains contingent upon effective resource mobilisation and governance structures. In Kenya, Boards of Management (BoMs) are mandated to spearhead fundraising and financial oversight for SFPs, particularly in semi arid regions such as Mbooni East Sub County, where coverage and consistency remain suboptimal. The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of financial resource mobilisation by Boards of Management on the implementation of School Feeding Programmes in public primary schools in Mbooni East Sub County. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to investigate financial mobilisation strategies and to examine financial planning practices. Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) was adopted as the theoretical framework. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 115 head teachers, 115 BoM chairpersons, and three NGO officers. A purposive sample of 40 public primary schools yielded 83 respondents: 40 head teachers, 40 BoM chairpersons, and three NGO representatives. Data was collected using structured questionnaires for school respondents and interview guides for NGO officers. Validation was undertaken by educational research experts, and reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding r = 0.78. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that financial planning and diversified funding strategies by BoMs directly influence programme reliability, attendance rates, and community trust. Financial mobilisation strategies such as seeking donor support (42.5%) and engaging local government (42.5%) were rated most effective. Inferential statistics confirmed a strong positive correlation between financial mobilisation and the implementation of SFPs, with donor engagement showing the highest correlation (r = 0.68, p =.000), followed closely by local government support (r = 0.65, p = .000), while fundraising events demonstrated a moderate but significant relationship (r = 0.46, p = .021). Regression analysis further validated these findings, with financial mobilisation yielding the highest standardised Beta (.398), a significant value (7.74), and an unstandardised coefficient B=0.681. These results highlight that financial mobilisation, whether through donor partnerships, government support, or community fundraising, plays a critical role in enhancing programme effectiveness, directly influencing the consistency, reach, and sustainability of school feeding initiatives. To improve SFP sustainability in Mbooni East, BoMs should receive financial training, fundraising support, inclusive engagement tools, transparent appointment processes, and stronger partnerships with donors and government agencies. Such measures will strengthen resource mobilisation and governance, ensuring that school feeding programmes remain reliable and sustainable.
