Determinants of power projects performance in the Kenya Power and Lighting Company limited
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Date
2014-07-08
Authors
Ndirangu, Samuel
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Abstract
Electricity is a primary factor of development and should therefore be harnessed, and developed
in an efficient manner. It should also be available in adequate quantity, quality and affordable
prices. The level and intensity of commercial energy use in a country is a key indicator of the
degree of economic growth and development. The challenges facing the power sector in Kenya
include weak transmission and distribution infrastructure, high cost of power, low per capita
power consumption, and low countrywide electricity access. Many projects have been initiated
to address these challenges by KPLC with the support of the government and development
partners. However in most cases the benefits from these projects are not realized due to poor
performance during implementation. Research has found that, there are many factors that impede
on project successful completion. Four independent variables namely; project management
skills, politics, socio economic and government bureaucracy were identified as significant in
contributing to project performance. This study sought to investigate how these variables affect
performance on power projects implemented by KPLC, evaluate their relative ranking, and to
quantify their impacts. The research employed an Ex Post Facto Survey design, which is deemed
appropriate because it handles situations or events that have already occurred, investigates
variables with the same characteristics and does not manipulate the variables. A questionnaire
was used in data collection where respondents were drawn from contractors, consultants and
KPLC staff, involved in the implementation of projects. Purposive sampling technique was used
in identifying the departments for the study. The target population for the study was 168 persons
in various department of the organization which included IT & Telecommunications,
distribution, energy transmission, customer service, co-operate planning research and
development and the energy sector recovery project unit from which a sample of 58 persons was
selected. The response was very successful with a rate of 48 out of 58. The highest response was
from IT & Telecommunications which demonstrates that the projects being undertaken by KPLC
are technologically based. Data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively facilitated by SPSS
(Statistic Package for Social Science) Computer package and presented in tables, graphs pie
charts and frequency tables. The study lead to a conclusion that, project management skills,
political interference, socio economic factors and government bureaucracy play a major role in
project success realization in the KPLC. On ranking, project management skills had the highest
effect on project performance while government bureaucracy had the least impact. These factors
will continue affecting KPLC future projects under similar implementation environment thus the
need for the organization to embrace mitigating actions that will enhance project success. The
researcher recommends that KPLC invests in capacity building by equipping staff with required
skills, to effectively manage projects. Recruitment of top management should be done through a
competitive process to avoid being influenced by politicians so as to disengage its operation from
politically affiliated decisions in choice of projects, contracts and management of projects in
general. The organization should enjoin the community in areas it initiates projects through
corporate social responsibility and partake lobbing for government support during the project roll
out process.
Description
Department of Management Science, 50p. 2013, HD 9502 .K4N33