Effects of constituency budget process on performance of education projects within national government constituencies development fund in Kenya: a case of Ndhiwa constituency

Abstract

This study sought to explore the effects of constituency budget process on the performance of education projects within National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF) in Ndhiwa constituency. Specifically, the study sought to examine the effects of budget planning, budget coordination, budget control, and budget evaluation on the performance of NGCDF education projects. The study used descriptive survey research design and correlation to explore the effects of budgeting process on performance of NGCDF secondary school projects. Descriptive research survey methodology was adopted using a target population of 322 and a sample size of 74 respondents chosen through stratified random sampling, and drawn from 52 secondary schools in the 7 wards in Ndhiwa constituency. The data was collected using a questionnaire with closed ended questions to elicit desired responses. The resulting quantitative data were analysed descriptively using percentage frequencies, mean, and standard deviation. Inferentially, Pearson Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used as tools of analysis to test for relationships among various variables. The findings were presented in prose form and by using tables and figures. From the study findings, majority of the respondents strongly agreed that different components of budget planning, budget coordination, budget control, and budget evaluation affect the performance of NGCDF education projects in Ndhiwa Constituency. Each of the predictor variables had a p-value of less than 0.01, which indicated that there is a significant relationship between each independent and the dependent variable. It was hypothesised that the budget process variables (budget control, budget coordination, budget planning, and budget evaluation) have no significant relationship with the performance of NGCDF education projects. However, the findings obtained indicates that there is a significant relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable, at p values that are less than 0.01, consequently, the null hypotheses were rejected. Therefore, all the independent variables in this study are strong determinants of performance of NGCDF education projects. It is recommended that NGCDF committee engages all stakeholders in the budgeting process, paying greater attention to budgetary planning, coordination, control and evaluation processes, as this will ensure that it allocates sufficient funds to every education project to avoid project failures. The current study only engaged 74 respondents limiting the chances of generalising the findings obtained to other settings. Future studies adopting a quantitative study design should include larger samples. Also, including a qualitative aspect in future studies is recommended to gain more insights on the issue of budgeting process and its effects on the NGCDF project outcome