Influence of monitoring and evaluation principles on the sustainability of water supply projects in Kajiado County: a case of Ngong region

Abstract

Project sustainability, especially in the water sector, has continued to receive great scholarly attention. Like all other projects, water projects rely on effective M&E to ensure their sustainability. Yet the sustainability of projects is still a major challenge in many developing countries. The study sought to find out the influence of monitoring and evaluation principles on the sustainability of water projects in Kajiado County using the Ngong Region as a case study. The study aimed to assess the influence of M&E tools, Monitored Financial Records, and M&E human and technical expertise on the sustainability of water projects in Kajiado County. The study was informed by the Theory of Sustainability and Theory of Change. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with mixed approaches. The target population was 10 water projects. Stratified and random sampling techniques were used to sample 330 water consumers, 10 Project/M&E Officers, 2 community leaders, and 3 Ngong Sub-County Water Officers totalling a sample size of 345 respondents. The study used Five-Point Likert scale questionnaires and interview schedules to collect data. The data collected was analyzed by descriptive statistics using the SPSS V.25 software. The study established that M& E tools positively influence the sustainability of water projects in Kajiado County, Ngong Region with an aggregate mean (M=3.69) and standard deviation of (SD=0.97). The study established that the monitored financial records positively influence the sustainability of water projects in Kajiado County, Ngong Region with an aggregate mean (M=4.11) and standard deviation of (SD=0.94). The study also established that the M & E Technical and Human Expertise positively influence the sustainability of Water projects in Kajiado County, Ngong Region with an aggregate mean (M=4.39) and standard deviation of (SD=0.84). The study concluded that the M&E principles under study positively influence the sustainability of water projects in Ngong Town, Kajiado County. The study recommended for proper legislation and structural work plan be put in place, an improvement in the quality of water, proper training of manpower and improved customer service.