Factors influencing sustainability of community based projects in Kitui county, Kenya

Abstract

This study intended to determine the factors influence the sustainability of community based projects. This study aimed to highlight the factors that influence the sustainability of community based projects. The beneficiaries of the project will be Project managers and coordinators of the Community Based Organizations. The study will also contribute to literature on community empowerment and development. It further outlined and discussed the extent to which the factors influence the sustainability of community based projects to effectively let the project coordinators in programs geared towards community development have a grip of how they can be able to achieve maximum sustainability of their projects. The study is organized into five chapters. Chapter one introduces the study and gives the objectives of the study. Chapter two reviews existing literature on the study topic and identify the knowledge gap. Chapter three gives the research methodology for the study. Chapter four deal with data analysis, presentation, interpretation and discussion. Lastly, chapter five gives a summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations. The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population was CBOs based in Kitui County. Primary data was collected for the study using self-administered questionnaire and the study used a quantitative method of data analysis. The respondents were given a three day period to fill the questionnaires and a contact were given to them in order to facilitate communication between them and the researcher if need be. The results are based on a response rate of 90% (n=50).The study concludes that governance, resource mobilization capacity, CBO formation process and effective internal management affect the sustainability of CBOs. This study recommends the following to ensure maximum CBO sustainability. Firstly, CBOs should ensure that their operations and daily routine are not interfered by politicians and other leaders. Secondly, CBOs should seek guidance from consulting firms on proposal writing, budgeting and funds management to ensure that sufficient funds for CBO sustainability. Thirdly, CBOs should always comply with government’s rules and regulations governing their registration to avoid the current situation in Kenya where by CBOs and NGOs are being deregistered for non-compliance. Lastly, CBOs should ensure effectiveness in communication and networking to push their operations and programs to the next level.