Factors influencing sustainability of community service order projects in Kiambu county, Kenya

Abstract

The Community Service Orders (CSO) programme has been in existence in Kenya for 12 years now. Numerous projects have so far been implemented under the programme. However, no project sustainability study has ever been done to ascertain whether the projects were producing their intended economic and social benefits after implementation is complete. This study therefore sought to examine the factors influencing sustainability of community service orders projects in Kiambu County of Kenya. The objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of project identification on sustainability of CSO projects, to determine how training in project management among community service officers influences sustainability of CSO projects, to establish how stakeholder management influences sustainability of CSO projects and to find out how funding of the CSO programme influences sustainability of CSO projects. The study was conducted in Kiambu County targeting all the 40 community service officers from the six field stations in the County. The study was therefore a census. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Data was collected from the target population using structured questionnaires which were selfadministered. A total of 37 questionnaires were completed and returned for analysis. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The results were presented through frequencies and percentages. The information was displayed by use of tables each accompanied by analytical interpretation in prose. The study findings indicate that project identification, training in project management, stakeholder management and funding do influence sustainability of community service order projects. The study recommends that project identification needs to be participatory to ensure ownership and commitment. It is also recommended that community service officers should be trained in project management so as to have the necessary skills to ensure that the projects they implement are sustainable. The study also recommends that a thorough stakeholder analysis be conducted and the stakeholders be managed well. Funding for the projects needs to be enhanced by putting in place formidable cost recovery measures and diversifying sources of project funds. This will forestall over reliance on government funds for project sustainability.