Influence of monitoring and evaluation tools on project completion in Kenya: A case of constituency development fund projects in Kakameg a County, Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the monitoring and evaluation tools in the completion of the projects. The study was centered on main tools of monitoring and evaluation which were: Strategic plan, Logical Framework, Budget and stakeholders analysis. This was guided by four objectives: to establish extent to which the use of strategic plan influences the level of project completion, to assess extent to which logical framework influences the level of project completions, to assess extent to which Budget adherence influences the level of project completion and to assess extent to which stakeholder analysis influences the level of project completion. The study was carried out in Kakamega County which has 12 constituencies. Four constituencies were randomly sampled, from where five CDF funded projects were purposively identified from each of the constituency. Large projects whose costs exceed one million shillings each were considered for sampling. Five committee members from each of the CDF projects (including chairmen and heads of institutions) were purposively sampled. Other respondents were purposively sampled from Ministries of works and health, community leaders and other stakeholders. Data was collected by questionnaires; document analysis, checklists and scheduled interviews. A total of 120 respondents were targeted out of which 106 respondents availed the data. Data was analysed both descriptively and inferentially, using SPSS and Microsoft office suite. The findings showed that Monitoring & Evaluation tools have influence on project completion. Precisely 88.9% noted that strategic plan has high influence over project completion, 80.7% observed logical framework has high influence over project completion and 80.8%noted budget has high influence over project completion. Regarding stakeholder‟s analysis, 90.4% said it has a significant influence on project completion. The results showed significant correlation between monitoring and evaluation tools and project completion. The study concluded that there is need to incorporate these tools in project management. The study recommended that all the concern should be empowered with skills and knowledge in order to have grasp of how monitoring and evaluation tools can be utilized. Parliamentary finance committee and CDF management should ensure ongoing projects are completed before initiating new projects, political leadership notwithstanding that normally interferes with funding