Factors Influencing Implementation Of Constituency Development Fund Projects In Kenya: A Case Of Moyale Constituency

Abstract

Constituency Development Fund (CDF) came into existence in Kenya after the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) came to power and enacted CDF Act in 2003 which was later amended in 2007. In line with the constitution of Kenya 2010, the CDF Act 2003 (as amended in 2007) was again annulled and replaced in January 2013 with CDF Act 2013 aligning it as per the new constitution of Kenya 2010. CDF form one of the devolved funds channeled by central government. The Fund was established with the aim of improving service delivery, alleviating poverty, enhancing economic governance, and ultimately spurring development in the constituencies thereby contributing to socio-economic development of all the constituencies. Over the last twelve years (2003 – 2014). Various developments have been achieved although there was continuous outcry from stakeholders on the management of the projects funded by CDF and this was blamed on poor implementation of projects by Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC). The study sought to establish factors influencing implementation of CDF projects in Moyale constituency, Kenya. The objectives of the study were Project mission, Management support, Project team and Monitoring and Feedback as a factor influencing implementation of CDF projects. The study was expected to benefit project managers of CDF/other managers of the corporate world, line ministries directly implementing the project, project teams, and all the stakeholders including the local communities. The study adopted descriptive research design where the target population was the CDF stakeholders in Kenya. The population of the study was CDF project stakeholders which comprised of project management committees (PMC), constituency development fund committees and key departmental heads of line ministries within the constituency which totals to 51 respondents. Census study was adopted where every item and unit constituting the universe was selected for data collection. The data was collected using a semi structure questionnaire and interview guide that was self-administered, the questionnaire was pilot tested to determine the validity and reliability of the instruments. The data collected was cleaned, coded and entered into SPSS for quantitative analysis. Data generated through open ended questions was categorized into various thematic areas which were used to operationalize the variables accordingly. The data was presented using tables for easy readability and understanding. The study found that project mission of CDF projects had no significance influence on implementation of CDF projects while management support, project team and monitoring and feedback of CDF projects had significant influences on implementation of CDF projects. The study recommended that more should be done by all stakeholders to effectively manage the CDF project within the project mission. The project managers should continue working for the good of the project by maintaining healthy working relationship with the political leadership and all the stakeholders. The study also recommended that the appointment of the project team must be as objective as possible. Finally in regard to monitoring and feedback of CDF the study recommended that the consequences of not adhering to the legal provisions of CDF management must be emphasized and enforced objectively.