An analysis of the factors influencing successful Implementation of projects: the case of world bank funded Projects in kenya.

Abstract

Major international development partners including World Bank, European Union and other major development partners, exert enormous influence on national and international approaches to project development and implementation. There has been a lot of pressure from these organisations on most recipient countries and especially developing countries, on stewardship of projects they fund. To be able to respond to both internal and external variables in a project environment that have influenced the success of project implementation, it is necessary to investigate, identify and understand these variables and establish to what extent they individually or collectively contribute to project failure. The main objective of the study was to identify the major factors that influence the successful implementation of projects in Kenya. The research was descriptive in nature and takes a survey of World Bank funded projects in Kenya. The study population for this research was the lead managers of World Bank funded projects where a sample size of 30 respondents was selected. A survey questionnaire and an unstructured interview schedule were used to collect data. The findings show that the World Bank has operated in Kenya for over 35 years and this signifies the fact that the institution understands the development paradigms of Kenya. World Bank has an international mix of ownership and each country's shareholding strength determines the voting power. Time and finances are of great essence in meeting • project implementation demands. This has an implication that majority of the respondents have a lot of experience in project implementation. As part of recommendations, the researcher recommended that relatively cheap, effective and on time project implementation and technology should be kept up to date and the personnel involved in projects implementation are equipped well with modern technology. IV