Factors influencing use of interlocking red bricks technology in housing projects: a case of Isiolo County, Kenya
Abstract
The failure of interlocking red bricks technology in Isiolo County construction project is
mostly related to the problems attributed to technical data of ISSB technology is still
insufficient, leading to skepticism of the technology amongst construction industry
professionals. Unfortunately, some projects provide new accommodation that is unaffordable
to many low-income households and thus failing its true cause. The purpose of the study was
to establish the factors affecting the use of interlocking red brick technology in housing
project in Isiolo County. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the
effect of availability of technology, construction cost, access to equipment by CBOs and
individuals, perception of the quality of building blocks and training on use of interlocking
red bricks technology in housing project in Isiolo County. The study was grounded on the
adoption and diffusion theory. The target population for this study composed of the county
representatives, contractors and project management committee members.A sample size of
156 for the study with the population of 262 was obtained using Morgan and Krejcie (1970)
model. The study was significant in disseminating interlocking red brick technology
information and making the stakeholders aware of the availability of this technology.Primary
data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The drop and pick method were
preferred for questionnaire administration so as to give respondents enough time to give well
thought out responses. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS Version 25.0). All the questionnaires received were referenced and items in the
questionnaire were coded to facilitate data entry. After data cleaning which entailed checking
for errors in entry, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and
standard deviation was estimated for all the quantitative variables and information presented
inform of tables. Inferential data analysis was done using multiple regression analysis. The
study found that in Isiolo County the use of interlocking red bricks in housing projects is
positively and significantly affected by availability of construction technology, cost of
construction, access to construction equipment by individuals and quality of building blocks
and training. The study concluded that availability of construction technology had the
greatest effect on the use of interlocking red brick technology in house construction in Isiolo
County, followed by access to equipment by CBOs and individuals then perception of the
quality of building blocks then construction cost while training had the least effect to the use
of ISSB construction technology in Isiolo County. The study recommends that National
Government in conjunction with the County Government should ensure that the numbers of
machines for supporting the use of interlocking red bricks technology are sufficient. That
there is a need to harmonize the construction cost so as to promote the interlocking red bricks
technology, that the County Government need to sensitize the residents to adopt use of the
ISSBs in houses construction since they offer better internal climatic conditions than other
modern materials and that training on ISSBs should be done since it forms an integral part of
ensuring improved houses and imparting important skills, which the trained can use in
income generating activities.
Citation
Degree of Master of Arts in Project Planning and ManagementPublisher
University of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [6020]