Project Management Capabilities and Sustainability of Water Projects Funded by the County Government of Makueni, Kenya
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Date
2025-02
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Water infrastructure projects are vital for ensuring access to clean water and promoting sustainable development in rural areas. However, there is lack of sustainability of water projects in Makueni County caused by inadequate infrastructure a lack of community inclusion, insufficient finance, and a lack of usage of current technologies that directs supervision and maintenance operations as 67% of water projects in the county have been shut down for five years or more, forcing residents of the semi-arid region to trek 15-30 kilometers looking for water. This research project aimed at assessing the effect of project management capabilities on sustainability of water projects funded by the county government of Makueni, Kenya. This research was based on four specific objectives namely: To establish the effect of management commitment and the sustainability of water projects; to assess the role of stakeholder participation and the sustainability of water projects; to determine the influence resource allocation and the sustainability of water projects; and to ascertain the relevance of Digital Inclusion and the sustainability of water projects funded by the county government of Makueni, Kenya. This research was guided by the stakeholder theory, RBV theory and technology acceptance model. A descriptive research approach was employed in the study. Data was obtained from 43 completed water projects with a target population of 100 stakeholders. Stratified random sampling method was employed to select a sample size of 85 respondents. Primary data was gathered utilizing questionnaires which will serve as the instrument for data collection. Pilot test was conducted on the data collection instrument to confirm the validity and reliability of the data measured by Cronbach’s Alpha test. The quantitative data collected was analyzed with descriptive and inferential analysis and result were displayed in the form of tables, charts graphs and other statistical tools. All ethical considerations was fully upheld. The study established that management commitment (β=0.061, p=0.004), stakeholder participation (β=0.1085, p=0.002), resource allocation (β=0.223, p=0.003) and (β=0.3304, p=0.002) had a positive significant effect on the sustainability of water projects funded by the county government of Makueni, Kenya. The study concludes that the management commitment ensures that the necessary resources, including financial, human, and technical, are allocated to the water projects. Involving community members, local leaders, NGOs, and government agencies in planning, implementation, and monitoring ensures that projects meet community needs. By carefully prioritizing and distributing resources such as funding, manpower, and materials, the county government can ensure that projects are implemented efficiently and effectively. Digital inclusion improves communication and engagement with local communities which help to build trust and collaboration between the government and the community, leading to more sustainable and successful water projects. The study recommends that to enhance management commitment to water project sustainability in Makueni, Kenya can be through establishing clear goals and objectives. The County government of Makueni, Kenya should involve community members, local leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of these projects. Enhancing resource allocation methods involves implementing more efficient and effective strategies to ensure that the limited resources available for water projects in Makueni County are utilized in a sustainable manner. The County government should invest in technology infrastructure such as mobile apps and online platforms that provide real-time information on water availability, quality, and usage.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business, Economics and Tourism in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Degree of Master of Business Administration (Project Management) of Kenyatta University, February 2025.
Supervisor
1. Josphat Kyalo