Critical success factors for public private partnership projects in the Kenyan road sub-sector

Abstract

Road development and management in Kenya, as observed in most developing nations, is ctraditionally under-financed. The Road Sector Investment Programme (RSIP) 2010-2024, ,acknowledges this and recommends the need to identify additional sources of financing such as ( Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Interest toward road sub-sector PPPs is increasing within the ' Kenyan government and as such, a number of projects have been identified as having potential for PPP, for example, Northern Corridor, operation and maintenance (O&M) of Nairobi-Thika Highway, Nairobi Southern Bypass, and Mombasa Bypass.

To implement PPPs efficiently, government officials and agencies need to be aware of their various success factors. However, sector specific PPP guidance is scarce, especially so on the Kenyan road sub-sector which has yet to witness the successful implementation of a PPP road project (except for the case of the Nyali Bridge Concession of 1931). Hence, the researcher proposed to ask; what transforms a PPP road project from a desirable plan on a government 'wish list' as the ones mentioned above, to a successful project? In essence, the main objective of the study was to arrive at Critical Success Factors (CSF) for PPP projects in the Kenyan road sub-sector. CSFs are the measurable factors within the project environment that have an influence on the satisfactory accomplishment of project success. This research is exploratory in nature in which the purposive expert sampling technique has been adopted to collect data (views) from experts with involvement or insight in PPP road projects.

18 CSFs were identified through literature review and consolidated by interviews with PPP professionals in the country. A questionnaire instrument containing these 18 CSFs was sent out to respondents with relevant insight in PPP road projects, in the public sector, private sector and development partners. The results show that the three most important factors are: 'a clear and favourable legal and regulatory framework', 'thorough and realistic assessment of costs and benefits' and 'transparent procurement process'. It is hoped that these findings should influence proper development and management of future PPP road projects in the country, thus increasing their chances of success.