Influence of boards’ of managers on sustainability of constituency development funded infrastructure projects in secondary schools: a case of Cental Imenti constituency-Meru county, Kenya

Abstract

For the last ten years, over seventy percent of the constituencies in Kenya have consistently reported mismanagement, theft, fraud and misappropriation of Constituency development fund for development project report in almost all sectors including school infrastructure project report. The fund has no specific development agenda; hence, it stands out as a political tool with potential of being used by politicians to build their reputation in their constituencies where education as an agenda is a popular platform. It is therefore imperative that there are in place, sound leadership and project report management skills of the Board of managers for secondary schools in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Boards’ of Managers on sustainability of constituency development funded infrastructure project reports in secondary schools in Central Imenti Constituency in Meru County. The objectives ware to determine how Boards’ of Managers project report management Skills, project report support, level of involvement and how adherence to government policies influence sustainability of school Constituency development funded infrastructure project reports. The study adopted a descriptive research survey design. The sample population for this study was a census of 42 respondents comprising principals, chairmen of the Board of managers and the Parents and teachers Association chair persons from all the fourteen public secondary schools in Central Imenti Constituency. The study used a questionnaire to collect data which was administered through drop and pick latter method. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was used aided by SPSS computer software, and the presentation of results done in suitable APA formatted tables. Board of Manager Project report Management Skills have no significant influence on sustainability of school CDF funded infrastructure project reports, while influence of Board of Manager Project report Management support has a significant influence on sustainability of school CDF funded infrastructure project reports. Influence of Board of Manager Level of involvement in project reports has a significant influence on sustainability of school CDF funded infrastructure project reports while influence of adherence to Government policies has a no significant influence on sustainability of school CDF funded infrastructure project reports. The study recommends on Board of Managers’ Project support Management Skills that in future there should be within the BOM a member who has sound project report management background. The study recommends on Board of Managers’ Project report support should be improved by stakeholders making direct input contribution to increase the level of sustainability. The study recommends on Board of Manager Level of involvement should be improved by specifically establishing a special ad hock committee of BOM to be involved at all the stages of the project report cycle in direct participation with the CDFC and where need arise the BOM should co-opt professionals and experts to shed light where they may not have expertise to participate in specific technical decisions. The study recommends on Adherence to Government policies that Monitoring and reporting should be strengthened and deepened in all CDF project reports by other independent body to avoid the conflict of interest and political interference. This study recommends further investigation on the efficacy of the CDFC on sustainability of the CDF funded school infrastructure project report. Secondly there is need to evaluate the effectiveness of the CDF funds in light of the declared unconstitutionality of the CDF Act due to compliance and accountability challenges. Finally, a study on the legal and regulatory environment on the sustainability of CDF school funded project report would be critical due to the vested interest among the many stakeholders whose tenure of office varies and succession battles reign especially among the elected leaders.