Influence of stakeholders’ participation on the success of the economic stimulus programme: A case of education projects in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Development experts have suggested that stakeholder participation is critical in the success of projects. The Economic Stimulus Programme was a combination of target projects in various sectors whose success was greatly influenced by the participation of stakeholders at all the levels of the programme and project cycle. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of stakeholders‟ participation on the success of the Economic Stimulus Programmes focusing on education projects in Nakuru County. The objectives of the study were to determine: the influence of stakeholders‟ participation in project selection and identification; the influence of stakeholders‟ participation in project planning; the influence of stakeholders‟ participation in project implementation and the influence of stakeholders‟ participation in project monitoring and evaluation on the success of the Economic Stimulus Programmes: a case of education projects in Nakuru County. Literature review was done on studies carried out on the parameters influencing success as per the objectives set out. A descriptive survey research design was adopted with the target population being 350 stakeholders in all secondary schools in Nakuru County that benefited from the Economic Stimulus Programme. The study had a sample of eighty four (84) purposively selected stakeholders drawn from the BOG members, PTA, School Principals and deputies, District Education Officers, School Infrastructure Committee members, the project technical design members from the Ministry of Public Works and project contractors. Self administered questionnaires were used for data collection. A pilot study using three ESP beneficiary schools in the neighbouring Baringo County was done to ensure reliability of the instruments to be used. Qualitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and percentage values aided by statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) and the findings presented in frequency distribution tables. Key findings of the study included establishment of a positive relationship between stakeholder participation in project identification and selection, participation in project planning, participation in project implementation and participation in project monitoring and evaluation and success of the Economic Stimulus Programmes. From the study findings conclusions drawn included the need for the government and other project facilitators to ensure full participation of key identified stakeholders in future similar programmes and the need to clearly identify and train stakeholders before initiation of similar programmes as this aided in the success of the overall programme. Suggestions for further research included a comparative study of the influence of stakeholders‟ participation on the success of the ESP and similar programmes such as the CDF and LATF, the influence of other factors on the success of the ESP education projects and the influence of participation on success of the other projects in the ESP such as fisheries, health, fresh produce markets and industrialization.