Factors influencing implementation of donor funded projects in government ministries: A case of ministry of transport and infrastructure- Kenya

Abstract

The study report aimed at investigating the factors influencing implementation of donor funded projects. The objectives of the study were: to assess how conditions imposed by donors influence implementation of donor funded projects, to investigate how procurement related factors influence implementation of donor funded projects and to determine influence of skills in project planning and management on implementation of donor funded projects. The study concentrated on three independent variables namely: donor conditions, procurement related factors and skills in project planning and management. The Ministry was implementing several projects funded by donor and the government of Kenya. It had, however, been experiencing low absorption of funds hence slow or poor implementation of donor funded projects. The researcher established a gap that the roles played by the three factors in the implementation and absorption of the donor funded project had not been studied albeit the government had been reporting under absorption of donor funds every financial year. The study used descriptive research design for open ended questions with a survey used as a method of collecting data while frequency tables and percentages were used for quantitative data analysis. The targeted population comprised 50 officers working in departments that deal with donor funded projects in the eight state corporations and two State departments of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure that included state department of transport and state department of infrastructure. Sample was clustered between the state corporations or semi-autonomous government agencies under Ministry and state departments in the Ministry headquarter. The collected data was analyzed by way of descriptive statistic and the results presented using frequency distribution tables. Data collected from open-ended questions were summarized into themes. From the findings it was established that donor conditions, inadequate skills and procurement process negatively affect the project implementation. Donor funded projects are not completed on time and donor funded projects objectives are not always achieved. Project cost escalates during the procurement process. Project commencement date always experience delays hence affecting the implementation of the donor funded projects. This is due to insufficient skills from the implementing unit, delay in delivery of materials, bulky paper work, delay in disbursement of project funds and long tendering process. Absorptions rate for donor funded project are found to be low. This emanates from poor planning by the ministries, lengthy procurement procedures, and stringent demands from donors. The study recommends donor conditions should be made flexible and none punitive to the users of the funds to increase the implementation process of donor funded projects; again, they should be free from political interest and countries left to set their own priorities. Timely completion of donor funded projects can be achieved by enhancing transparent tendering process, employing monitoring and evaluation technique. Absorption rate can be improved by proper planning and monitoring of the projects, and when disbursement ration and rate are enhanced. The government should therefore have department for project planning and management in every Ministry and State Corporation with professionally qualified personnel.