Factors influencing utilization of constituency development funds; a case of samburu east constituency in kenya.

Abstract

CDF targets constituency level development projects, particularly those aiming to combat poverty at the grassroots. The government major objective was to promote equity in sharing national resources, and therefore reduce the regional imbalances in regional development. Limited research exists in factors influencing utilization of these funds hence a gap which necessitated this study. The study is important because it will lead to improvement in the utilization of CDF funds in Samburu East constituency and other areas in the republic. Proper utilization of CDF funds starts with proper design and identification of projects. Projects management committees will also gain knowledge on challenges facing utilization of funds and how to manage such challenges. The study was guided by the following objectives. To establish how line Ministry technical officers influence utilization of CDF funds in Samburu East Constituency of Kenya; To determine how proposal writing skills among the project management committee influences the utilization of CDF funds in Samburu East Constituency of Kenya; To assess the influence of projects location on the utilization of CDF funds in Samburu East Constituency of Kenya and to evaluate how academic qualifications of project management committee members influence utilization of CDF funds in Samburu East Constituency of Kenya. The target population was PMC members from the 200 CDF projects in Samburu East Constituency. Stratified random sampling was employed to come up with 85 respondents. Descriptive research was employed with the questionnaire as the main data collection tool. The research was purely qualitative and with the help of a research assistant administered questionnaires. Data was obtained, analyzed and presented in tables, frequencies, regression analysis and percentages form using statistical package for social studies (SPSS V 17.0). The findings revealed that there is a high influence of the role of government technical officers on utilization of CDF funds at 0.683 per unit increase in utilization of the funds. Proposal writing skills contributed 0.378 per unit increase in utilization of CDF funds. Location of projects contributed 0.492 per unit increase in utilization of CDF funds. Academic qualifications of the project management committees contributed the least at 0.262 per unit increase in utilization of the CDF funds. The researcher recommends the following: PMCs need to be familiar with government regulations on tendering per the procurement and disposal Act. The CDF Board should ensure that all the CDFCs are trained on proposal writing and this should be cascaded to the PMCs who come up with project proposals. The study recommends that a mix of both rural and urban projects should be undertaken by the CDF Samburu East this will ensure that there is balanced development in the Constituency and that benefits of the projects accrue to all members of the society. The study also recommends that PMC members should be well educated and persons with the right professional qualifications since they are tasked with project management. Project management courses mixed with financial management courses are recommended for PMC members to improve on the utilization of the CDF funds in the Constituency. The constituencies Development Fund Board should regularly issue guidelines to CDFCs and the PMCs which will help disseminate information on the status of the utilization of CDF funds in various constituencies this will help the committees to assess the utilization levels of the funds allocated to them.