Monitoring and evaluation of development projects and economic policy development in Kenya

Abstract

This study was conducted generally to find out the factors influencing the implementation of monitoring and evaluation of developments projects in Kenya. The review of literature looked at a range of international experiences in monitoring and evaluation systems including that of USA, Canada, Malaysia and Indonesia among others from which it emerged that the development of a national wide M&E system is an ambitious task best tackled incrementally over several years. The international review also revealed that the concept of monitoring and evaluation is widely used and that its economic importance and value are increasingly being accepted globally. Data for the research was collected from survey questionnaires distributed to the personnel in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning. Binary Probit Model was instrumental in data analysis. The study sought to ascertain the association between the monitoring and evaluation system implementation status as the dependent variable and training of the personnel implementing monitoring and evaluation functions, Amount of money allocated and spent on monitoring and evaluation, stakeholders’ participation in implementation of monitoring and evaluation, institutional guidelines and political influence on implementation of monitoring and evaluation in development projects as explanatory variables. Overall, a short run relationship between the dependent and explanatory variables was established. Training of monitoring and evaluation personnel, amount of money allocated and spent on monitoring and evaluation in development projects, institutional guidelines and stakeholders’ participation in monitoring and evaluation had a statistical significant effect on system implementation in development projects at 95% confidence level where by all of them increased the likelihood except stakeholders’ participation. Importantly and of great value to note from this study is that institutions and all development stakeholders dealing with monitoring and evaluation systems should continue to invest in improvement of these systems by research and learning as the overarching theme geared towards their success both in implementation and overall policy development. This will enhance optimal utilization of available resources and thus spur investments for inclusive growth and long term economic development in Kenya.