Factors influencing the identification of projects funded by constituency development fund in public secondary schools in Kenya: a case of Kanduyi constituency, Bungoma county

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the identification of projects funded by Constituency Development Fund public secondary schools in Kanduyi constituency, Bungoma County. The objectives of the study were:- to establish how projects identification and costing influence the identification of CDF funded projects, the extent to which political interest influence the identification of CDF funded projects, to examine how local community involvement influence the identification of CDF funded projects and to examine how availability of funds influence the identification of CDF funded projects in secondary schools. The study findings may be used by the Ministry of Education to formulate financial policies related to CDF funds management. The study was based on the theory of needs achievement as postulated by David Mcelland. The study adopted descriptive survey design. This study employed a descriptive survey design, which is a type of research undertaken with the aim of describing characteristics of variables in a situation. The study targeted 39 secondary schools in Kanduyi constituency, Bungoma County with constituency development funded projects, 39 BOM chairpersons, 39 BOM secretaries, 39 BOM treasurers in each school and 13 members of constituency development fund committee (CDFC). Census was used to select a sample size of 130 respondents. Purposeful sampling was used to select 39 BOM chairpersons, 39 BOM secretaries, 39 BOM treasurers and 13 members of constituency development fund committee (CDFC) from project management committees in schools. In the study, the questionnaires were used to collect data from the project management committees in schools. The data was analyzed manually. A code book was prepared in which the frequencies of all the responses were recorded and calculated into percentages. The frequencies and percentages were from the questionnaires. The analyzed data obtained was organized into themes that were used to answer the research questions. From the study findings it can be concluded that BOM and school principals have minimal involvement in identifying, costing and implementing constituency fund projects in their schools through participating in ground identification. The study also concluded that there are no politicians interfering with CDF projects in schools through influencing the tendering process for the supply of project materials and CDF committee influencing those to be awarded tender materials. In the study it was further concluded that local communities are involved in CDF projects in schools through participating in project identification, providing locally available materials and involving the local community in schools. The study concluded that schools undertake CDF project implementation through carrying out monitoring and evaluation of projects regularly and checking project expenditure regularly and physical progress. The government should also monitor and evaluate the utilization of CDF funds allocated to schools to ensure that they meet guidelines put in place to govern the CDF utilization.