Stakeholder Engagement and the Implementation of Road Infrastructure Projects: the Case of Nairobi Expressway, Kenya

Abstract

Stakeholder management is crucial for successful project implementation, as it ensures the concerns and interests of all parties are acknowledged and addressed. It promotes open communication, collaboration, and trust, which are key to achieving project objectives. However, road projects often face challenges such as cost and time overruns, quality issues, and difficulties in meeting specifications, which can hinder their success. For instance, the Nairobi Expressway project faced major delays, with its completion pushed from December 2021 to June 2022, resulting in a 50% time overrun. The project also saw a 42% budget increase, from $62 billion to $88 billion, and suffered from quality control problems, including inadequate drainage and flood management, causing some sections to become impassable. This highlighted the need to examine the influence of stakeholder management on the implementation of road projects, with a particular focus on the Nairobi Expressway. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the influence of stakeholder identification, stakeholder analysis, stakeholder involvement and stakeholder empowerment on the implementation of road infrastructure projects in Kenya. This study utilized an explanatory research design. The study’s target population included users of the Nairobi Expressway, representatives from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Nairobi Region, personnel from MOJA Expressway, and management of the China Road and Bridge Corporation, totaling 70 individuals. The study gathered primary data using semi-structured questionnaires. Open-ended responses were analyzed thematically to identify qualitative insights, while quantitative data was processed with descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS version 28. Descriptive analysis included percentages, frequency distribution, standard deviation, and mean values. Inferential analysis involved correlation and regression techniques. The findings indicated that stakeholder identification, analysis, involvement, and empowerment each significantly and positively influenced the successful implementation of road infrastructure projects in Kenya. The study recommends that project managers prioritize early identification of all relevant stakeholders and conduct comprehensive influence assessments at the project’s initiation. Additionally, it highlights the need for continuous stakeholder engagement and empowerment through capacity-building initiatives to ensure active participation throughout the project lifecycle.