Factors Influencing Implementation of Perfomance Based Road Maintenance Projects in Kenya National Highways Authority Central Region, Kenya

Abstract

Factors affecting the implementation of performance based road maintenance projects in Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Central region, Kenya were determined in this study. The particular aims were to determine the level to which financing influence carrying out of performance based road maintenance projects in KeNHA central region Kenya, to establish impact of staff competences on performance based road maintenance works in KeNHA central region, Kenya and to assess the effect of public involvement on the implementation of performance based road maintenance projects in KeNHA central region, Kenya. Descriptive research design which encompasses qualitative and quantitative approaches was used to measure and analyzes data. The target population included all staff members working at KeNHA, it also incorporated construction company employees, relevant government agencies and road users. In order to acquire representative sample, 36 professionals were sampled purposively to include 2 road engineers, 3 Assistant Engineers,6 Road Inspectors, 6 Assistant Surveyors, ,15 site agents,1 finance officer ,1 Kenya Roads Board (KRB) officer,1 officer Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure(MoTI) and 46 road users were selected by stratified random sampling technique. Primary data was collected by means of questionnaires and an interview schedule. The questionnaire was both semi-structured, that is, open-ended questions to elicit qualitative responses, and closed-ended questions to collect quantitative data. Secondary data to supplement the primary data was collected from the KeNHA central region headquarters, Nyeri. The data included the information on the Governments road maintenance implementation contracts through performance based contracting in KeNHA Central Region, lists of roads and maintenance schedules in the area, the number of contractors and staff, and road users seeking various services in KeNHA central region offices. Quantitative data was entered in Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 22 for analysis of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The data was summarized using tables and percentages before being summarized by descriptive statistics measures like mean, mode, median, frequencies and standard deviation. Inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis) were used to determine the relations between independent and dependent variable (implementation of PBC projects).Data analysis, presentation and interpretation of the research findings are presented in chapter four. The outcomes of the study indicates that access to finance, staff competence and public participation have a strong influence in implementation of performance based road maintenance projects. The respondents gave a variety of proposals on what need to be improved to make PBC projects a success. They proposed payment of road contractors on time, continuous staff training and engaging the public on daily basis would enhance the implementation of PBC projects greatly. The research supports that timely access to finance by the road contractors should be enhanced and diversified. Continuous training of project staff and road contractors should be carried out often. Public participation should be conducted often on all PBC projects. The study can assist the road agencies and government institutions on the best modes of financing PBC projects, best areas to train project staff and durations between trainings and how and when to engage the public in the projects. Future studies should be carried out on how road reserve encroachments, contractor’s capacity and lack of road furniture affects implementation of PBC projects.