Assessment Of The Factors Influencing The Performance Of (LATF) Funded Projects In Khwisero Division

Abstract

Assessment of factors affecting selection and implementation of development projects has been analyzed by a number of studies. However, most of the studies have not investigated the impact the factors have had on actual community selected and implemented LATF funded projects. Studies by Gitau suggested that more research has to be done in the area of participation and LASDAP policies so as to enable community select suitable projects. This study was carried out to assess the factors affecting the selection and implementation of LATF funded projects which were found to be poorly utilized in Khwisero Division. Variables considered in the study were the relationship between the community, community leadership and the provincial administration leaders; community attitudes towards the LATF funded projects; Project management; methods of community mobilization in projects and accountability and transparency of funds usage. The dependent variable was performance of the projects whose key indicators were level of utilization and customer satisfaction. The target population was ninety community leaders, five hundred community members utilizing the projects and twenty Assistant Chiefs. Forty five community leaders, Ten Assistant Chiefs and one hundred and fifty community members utilizing the project were selected for the study. Data was collected by the questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were administered to Assistant Chiefs while community leaders and members were separately interviewed. The data obtained was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics. Quantitative data for each question was analyzed by use of interval scale measurements while the qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the analysis of quantitative data. Key findings related to why the completed projects were not well utilized were: - poor attendance of sensitization meetings by community members; lack of capacity building for communities before project selection and implementation; the Council does not fully involve the user communities during project implementation as reported by the three categories of respondents 90% being the highest by Assistant Chiefs; the channels of communication used were not sufficient as reported by 35% and 20% of Community Members and Assistant Chiefs respectively; and the total construction cost and amount paid to the contractor was not known to the three categories of respondents who are the users of the projects. It was concluded that LATF projects in Khwisero Division were underutilized and capacity building was recommended for user communities prior to project selection and implementation.