Community Participation and Sustainability of Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Projects in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Sustainability of projects is a critical issue in the developing countries. Involving locals within the informal settlements is aimed at improving the sustainability of the implemented projects. This study was undertaken to find out how community participation influences the sustainability of Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project within Nakuru County. Study object included; To assess how involving the community in planning process influences the sustainability of Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project in Nakuru County, To investigate how community engagement in awareness influences Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project sustainability in Nakuru County, To establish the influence of involving the community in implementation on sustainability of Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project in Nakuru County, lastly, To establish how community engagement in monitoring and evaluation affects Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project sustainability in Nakuru County. This research was grounded on stakeholder theory and participatory theory. The study methodology entailed descriptive survey research design, with a population of 29,866 households from which 379 respondents were obtained by means of Krejcie and Morgan 1970 table, and the sampling was by use of simple random sampling method to arrive at the individual respondents. Data was obtained from the households by means of questionnaire, thereafter analysis carried out descriptively as well as inferentially using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. A return rate of 74.1% was achieved. Descriptive analysis showed that respondents agreed with most statements presented in planning process, awareness, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Findings revealed an existing strong positive and significant correlation between planning process, awareness, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation and Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Projects’ sustainability in Nakuru County. Further, study found that planning process negatively and significantly influences the sustainability of Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project in Nakuru County, whereas project awareness, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation positively and statistically significantly influences sustainability of Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project in Nakuru County. Study concluded that community participation was an essential factor for projects’ sustainability. It was recommended that local community should be engaged in Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project by the coordination team for its sustainability. Finally, further study in other counties and the whole country at large was suggested.