Management Practices and Performance of County Road Construction Projects in Tharaka Nithi County.

Abstract

This research addresses the management practices and performance of county-funded road construction projects in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, aiming to fill conceptual, contextual, and methodological gaps in existing literature. The study identifies a lack of comprehensive analysis concerning the unique challenges and opportunities associated with these projects, particularly in Tharaka Nithi County. It seeks to understand how specific management practices impact project performance and to investigate the effectiveness of management strategies in mitigating challenges. Using a mixed-methods approach and guided by Agency Theory, Program Theory, and Stakeholder Theory, the research combines quantitative analysis with qualitative insights from project documents, stakeholder interviews, and community surveys. Findings reveal positive perceptions of various project aspects but also highlight areas for improvement, such as meeting initial expectations and consistent use of key performance indicators. Financial management practices, monitoring and evaluation utilization, and end-user involvement are found to collectively explain 86.03% of project performance. Therefore, it can be concluded that these projects generally show positive sentiment regarding performance, there is room for enhancement in specific areas. Recommendations include prioritizing sound financial management practices, strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement to improve project outcomes and accountability. It also suggests further research to explore additional factors influencing project performance, conduct comparative analyses across regions, and investigate long-term impacts of management practices. Additionally, complementing quantitative data with qualitative research methods and analyzing existing policies and regulations related to road construction projects are recommended to inform evidence-based decision-making in road infrastructure development.