Influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation on performance of public private partnership projects in Nairobi county, Kenya

Abstract

Project monitoring and evaluation is fundamental if the project objectives and success is to be achieved especially in public-private partnership projects. It improves overall efficiency of project planning, management and implementation. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation on performance of public private partnership projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. To achieve this purpose, the study was guided by four research objectives including: establishing the influence of institutional strengthening on performance of public private partnership projects in Nairobi County, Kenya; determining the influence of stakeholder perspectives on performance ofpublic private partnership projects in Nairobi County, Kenya; assessing the influence of public accountability on performance ofpublic private partnership projects in Nairobi County, Kenya; and establishing the influence of facilitated negotiations on performance of public private partnership projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study used descriptive survey research design. The population of this study was composed of various stakeholders in the PPPs including government representatives from the concerned ministries, management staff of the contracting authorities, project managers of the private partners and county representatives (MCAs and engineers) adding up to 252. A combination of stratified sampling and simple random sampling was used in this study. Stratified sampling was used to ensure representation from the different stakeholders constituting the strata. Through simple random sampling, 152 respondents were picked from the population. The study collected primary data using a questionnaire which were administered through a drop and pick later method. Pilot study was undertaken aimed at testing the validity and reliability of instruments to be used. Quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive analysis and presented by use of tables while a conceptual content analysis was adopted for the qualitative data and the findings presented in prose. Regression analysis was also used to establish the relationship between the variables. The study established that having partnerships with stakeholders in a PPP arrangement has ensured support for the project, the stakeholders have aided in the selection of appropriate indicators improving the quality of the project, there are open forums/meetings held which involve stakeholders and selecting the appropriate indicators in a PPP project has been difficult due to stakeholders’ different preferences in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study further established that reports concerning the PPP projects are published by the institution. The study concluded that involving all stakeholders with varied views strengthens the institution; PM&E is effective in ensuring that the objectives of the project are met, PM&E provides government officials and development partners with better means for learning from past experience and also it improves conflict management among stakeholders. The study finally concludes that stakeholder perspectives had the greatest effect on the performance of PPPs projects, followed by institutional strengthening, and then facilitated negotiations while public accountability had the least effect to the performance of PPPs projects. From the study findings and conclusions, the study recommended that institutions should involve all the stakeholders in ensuring that the objectives of the projects they undertake are met. This is because PM&E will enable the institution and the development partners a platform to learn more from previous projects and helps avoid conflicts. The PPPs should also incorporate performance based management in their operations as this will help improve communication as well as improve accountability. The study also recommends that organizations should organize forums that will allow different stakeholders to articulate their needs and make collaborative decisions