Factors Influencing Performance of the Kazi kwa Vijana Projects in Kenya: a Case of Githunguri District Kiambu County.

Abstract

Projects can be started for commercial purposes or to generate revenues, of sustenance of livelihoods, for eradication of poverty, for humanitarian purposes amongst others. Projects are important for individuals, organizations and economies. This study was necessitated by the fact that the level of performance of the KKV projects at the constituency level was low. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the performance of the Kazi Kwa Vijana projects with the case Githunguri District. The target population of the study was 543. The population was stratified into four categories namely, line managers, project managers, chiefs and youth. Simple random sampling done to obtain one member from each of these categories. The sample size is 93. The review of related literature included historical perspective of project management, importance of project management, project management cycle, project identification, and preparation of the project and implementation process. From the literature review there was an outcry from all that the KKV projects have not attained their intended objectives .The data was collected using self-administered questionnaires to line managers, project managers, chiefs, and youth. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis was used for quantitative data analysis. This simplified large amount of data for example analysing numerical data through frequency distributions, means, standard deviations, and percentages .Qualitative data was captured through open-ended questions. Themes that relate to the research questions in the study were identified and data was then coded and entered in the computer for analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Scientists (SPSS). The study drew conclusions of a formative nature, on what influence the performance of Kwa Vijana Kazi projects. These determinants include: availability of adequate resources; quality of planning; creativity of project teams; timeliness in implementation; quality of leadership and management; competence of project leaders or managers; the social, political, economic environment in which the project is implemented; relevance of project designs and implementation methodologies; quality of monitoring and evaluation; motivation of project teams and beneficiaries; participation of beneficiaries and stakeholders; and multisectorality of project efforts. The study suggested that the use of projects is becoming more pervasive, with more managers entering the field of project management, the study noted that the success of project practitioners depends on their ability to adopt multiple skills and adapt to complex situations. The study provided recommendations for improving sustainable project management practice, most importantly, the use of systems thinking and approach as an alternative theoretical and paradigmatic foundation for addressing complex economic development project management efforts such KKV ·