Project Management Practices and Performance of National Government-Constituency Development Fund Projects in Malindi Constituency, Kenya

Abstract

The constituency development fund is a national government fund introduced in Kenya in 2003 by an Act of Parliament; to eradicate poverty at the grassroots level, bring about equitable share of resources and create employment opportunities at the constituencies. There has been a significant increase in number of failed projects in Kenya despite government’s endeavour to make funds available for development purposes. The study’s main objective was to determine the factors influencing performance of NG-CDF funded projects. The study utilised the Descriptive Survey Design. The population included 120 NG-CDF construction projects implemented between 2015/2016 and 2019/2020 financial years. The study sample comprised 92 respondents. The study employed stratified random sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires containing both open-ended and the Likert rating scale questions were employed in the study. The research was founded on four main theories: Resource-Based Theory, Theory of Constraints, Competency Theory and Stakeholders Theory. The Chi-Square independent samples, t-tests and regression output from SPSS were used to test Hypotheses. From the results of the Pearson Chi-Square for project performance and management skills; it was observed that there is statistically significant association between performance and Project Management Skills. The Pearson chi-square for Project Performance and Community Participation implied that there is statistically significant association between Performance and Community Participation. Finally, the Pearson chi-square for Project Performance and Monitoring & Evaluation implied that there is statistically significant association between Performance and Monitoring & Evaluation. The study showed that there is a statistically significant linear association between Performance and Management Skills, a statistically significant linear association between Performance and Community Participation and a statistically significant linear association between Project Performance and M&E. These findings suggest linear association between the independent variables (Project Management Skills, Community Participation and Monitoring & Evaluation) and the dependent variable (Project Performance). The study’s findings would assist in informing policy guidelines in training on project identification & selection, planning and implementation. The study would add to the theory development through knowledge of the marginal and individual effects of community involvement, M&E and Project Management Skill factors on the NG-CDF Projects Performance. The study recommends that the NG-CDF board ought to ensure recruitment and retaining of qualified and competent project managers and staff with adequate experience in project management. The study further recommends need for proper framework on community participation right from project identification, through project planning, implementation to M&E of the projects.