Monitoring and evaluation interventions and sustainability of community-based conservancies in Kenya: a case of Mara North Conservancy

Abstract

Significant number of resources has been deployed in the development and maintenance of community-based conservancies but not much has been done to ascertain the sustainability aspect. This research focused on M&E while demonstrating how Monitoring and Evaluation interventions such as Human Capacity for M&E, M&E Partnerships and M&E Planning are key in molding conservancies in addressing the sustainability aspect. The statement of the problem outlined that there was a need to examine how monitoring and evaluation procedures help realize sustainable Community-based conservancies. The theories used in this study were resource-based view theory and Participatory theory which pertain to having effective M&E interventions. The study focused on three main factors for a successful M&E intervention that is Human capacity for M&E, M&E partnerships and M&E planning. The study used descriptive survey research design and administered questionnaires to the selected respondents from Mara North Conservancy to try and understand how sustainable the conservation model can be if proper M&E interventions are in place. The population for this study was 920 with a sample size of 233 respondents. They were selected in accordance with them being residents of Mara North Conservancy, the sample size included Landowners, Landowner Committee Members, Conservancy Chair, Conservancy Staff and Conservancy rangers. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviewing of respondents. The study indicated that the three variables were statistically significant on sustainability of community-based conservancies in Mara North Conservancy. Majority of the respondent indicated that human capacity affects the sustainability of community-based conservancies. The respondents indicated that adequate human capital was necessary in ensuring the conservancy-maintained sustainability. The regression analysis was conducted to determine whether there existed positive relationship between the dependent variable and independent variable. The p-value was 0.000 which was <0.05, for human capacity, M&E partnership and M&E planning and therefore the null hypothesis was rejected, which indicates that human capacity, M&E partnership and M&E planning were significant on sustainability of community-based conservancies in Mara North Conservancy. The study recommendations were as follows; adequate resource should be allocated to ensure the sustainability of community-based conservancies. The organization should formulate their budget and allocate finance to run the conservancies. The conservancy should involve various group as their partner and should select those who capable of completing their project on time. The conservancy should involve the local community who are familiar with community-based conservancies. A well detailed plan should be formulated to ensure community-based conservancies are maintained. M&E plan should be developed which should contain each task of project development. M&E planning should consist of the policies, procedures and programs necessary for the Mara North conservancy to achieve their goals. The study indicated that further research should be conducted in other conservancy not only in Kenya but other countries in Africa. Different variables should be adopted when carrying out the study which should include community involvement, technological factors and capacity building.