Keitany, Gloria Jelimo2025-08-072025-08-072025-05https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/31159A research project submitted to the School of Business, Economics, and Tourism in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the award of the degree of master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) of Kenyatta University, May 2025 Supervisor: Dr. Kipkorir SitieneiThe projects under the National Government Constituency Development Fund are essential in uplifting the well-being of the citizens and improving socio-economic development in Kenya. However, despite these projects receiving massive financing, challenges including delayed completion and units completed were few in number, still exists. The problems were related to incremental milestones, cost ratios, and the overseer’s opinion as indicators of performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects. The broad aim of the study was to establish the effect of monitoring approaches on performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects in Nakuru County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to determine the effect of result-oriented, constructivist, reflexive, and rapid appraisal approaches on performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund Projects in Nakuru County, Kenya. The theory of change, public value and balanced scorecard model anchored the study. A cross-sectional survey research design was utilized, and a census of all 76 stakeholders comprising the Fund Account Managers, Deputy County Commissioners, Constituency Development Fund committee members, and Public Works’ representatives drawn from the 11 constituencies in Nakuru County constituted the target population. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Content validity was determined using expert opinion, while reliability was tested using the Cronbach’s alpha method and a value of 0.7755 obtained signifying that the study instrument was reliable. A response rate of 62.81% was realised, which was sufficient in the study. The findings indicated that, result-oriented approach in form of enough inputs like competent personnel to monitor the results in the projects, along with the presence of clear and verifiable ways of monitoring outputs, influenced performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects. Constructivist approach in form of monitors being responsive to stakeholders’ interests in the projects, learning histories, monitoring projects in order to identify existence of relevant significant changes, information sharing during project monitoring, had effect on performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects. Reflexive approach had effect on performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects. Rapid- appraisal approach through monitoring of projects by means of rapid appraisal approach, regular conduction of individual interviews when monitoring projects, holding up of group interviews with Project Management Committee members to assess the progress of projects, conduction of focus group discussions with key stakeholders, engagement of the local community`s representatives in the monitoring of projects along with the review of documents like progress reports during monitoring of projects, influenced performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects. Results-oriented approach influences resources; constructivist approach affects responsiveness to interests of the stakeholders; reflexive approach affects systematic planning which must be systematic while rapid-appraisal influences regular stakeholder in conclusion, monitoring approaches had significant effect on performance in National Government Constituency Development Fund projects in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study recommends a change and development of policies to mitigate existing gaps and enhance highly effective realization of projects implementation. The findings are crucial for the various stakeholders and informative to practitioners with regard to the best monitoring approaches which may be employed on National Government Constituency Development Fund projects with the ultimate objective of ensuring their enhanced performanceenThesis