Factors Influencing Performance of Humanitarian Relief Projects in Kenya: a Case of Selected Non Governmental Organizations in Turkana County

Abstract

Human relief projects have recorded not so good performance on their projects. This includes completion time, working within set budget and in attaining set goals or objectives. This study seeks to establish factors influencing performance of community relief projects by selected NGOs in Turkana County. The study seeks to determine how stakeholder involvement influence performance of community relief projects by selected NGOs in Turkana County; to determine the extent to which funding influence the performance of community relief projects by selected NGOs in Turkana County; to assess how organizational leadership performance of community relief projects by selected NGOs in Turkana County and to establish how effective planning influences the performance of community relief projects by selected NGOs in Turkana County. Employees working for NGOs in Turkana County were the focus of the study, which used a descriptive survey research approach. The study's sample size included 276 out of 689 employees from 63 non-governmental organizations. Data collected using questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS Version 23.0. Inferential and descriptive statistics were utilised in quantitative data analysis. Percentages, mean, frequencies, and standard deviation are examples of descriptive statistics and data presented in tables and graphs. Results established that stakeholder involvement is critical in fostering positive performance of humanitarian relief projects run by NGOS; a timely, reliable funding source allows relief organizations to respond quickly to crises; most of the community relief projects in Turkana County had reliable funding; and strong organizational leadership is critical to fostering positive project performance. Strong transformational leadership, servant leadership, collaborative leadership, democratic leadership, adaptive leadership, laissez-faire leadership, and charismatic leadership are critical in garnering the drive force towards the realization of project goals, and effective project planning sets the groundwork for a project's success by providing structure, direction, and clarity. The study concludes that stakeholder involvement, project funding, organizational leadership, and project planning all have a significant positive influence on the performance of humanitarian relief projects. The project lead team must continually involve all the key stakeholders’ right project conceptualization up to project closure. However, their involvement in every project must be informed by thorough stakeholder analysis and role clarity. The project implementation committee must ensure that relief projects in Turkana County have reliable financial support. Project leadership should provide a clear vision and direction for the project team. Leaders should articulate the project's goals, objectives, and expected outcomes. The project implementation committee should ensure effective project planning by setting the stage for success and establishing clear objectives, defining roles and responsibilities, M&E frame work, allocating resources, and creating a roadmap for the project's execution.