An assessment of the role of development partners in implementation of environmental projects in Bungoma south district, western province, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya as a country intend to spearhead environmental management through flagship projects and comnussiomng of PubliclPrivate Partnerships(PPPs) (GOK,2007).Bungoma south district, categorized as a millennium district, has had the advantage of spearheading most of the pilot development projects, including environment based. This research project report was intended to assess the role of development partners in implementation of the environmental projects in Bungoma South District, with the significance of contributing to both practice and theory. The assessment was set to explore the various ways the development partners under the PPPs initiative would contribute towards successful implementation of the environmental projects within Bungoma district. The study used a descriptive survey; a qualitative type of research design and employed the use of Purposive sampling, which required biased/non-probability sampling technique from the target population (Mugenda and Mugenda, 2002) to select agencies/units that were special information rich cases/entities. The instrument that was mainly used to collect data was the Questionnaire. This instrument was pre-tested in a similar sample (Bungoma West district) to check its reliability and validity. In the operational definition of variables; 'Implementation' was the dependent variable whereas the 'roles' were the independent variables. The method of data analysis was Qualitative and was analyzed using content analysis method (Mugenda and Mugenda) which refers to a systematic qualitative description of the objectives or units of study (categorical variables) and determine the intensity with which certain themes or phrases have been used. The findings of this study revealed that Development partners have substantially initiated good change in environmental concerns but due to some impediments they have been rendered incapable of reaching their maximum potential. Predominant roles played by development partners have been shown to include capacity building, project planning, lobbying and advocacy, others (including resource mobilization) and financing respectively. The evaluation status of performance of these development partners revealed that a big portion of the population has not reached the satisfaction level on the current roles undertaken by the partners. This study revealed that there is need to increase efficiency and effectiveness in administration of roles with a 'target group's interest(s)' at the centre of focus. The studyhas made recommendations such as prioritising environmental themes to stir other types of development; more incentives should be offered to the private sector to attract their input; decision making organs should proactively be involved in reducing roles' constraints and encourage development; Stakeholder participation in need analysis, project definition and decision making should always be sought; and Further expansive research should be conducted to assess challenges of the above roles and suggest workableinterventions to counter them.