Master of Arts in Monitoring & Evaluation (MME)

Monitoring and evaluation process on performance of private residential building projects in Nairobi County Kenya

2025-04-15T10:48:55Z

Monitoring and evaluation process on performance of private residential building projects in Nairobi County Kenya Wanjira, Josphine Wawira The topic, study objectives, based on what theory, research methodology, target population, what was the sample and sampling process, data collection instruments, data analysis tools, findings, conclusion and recommendations. The overall objective of this study was to establish the influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Processes on performance of private building projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: To determine the effect of monitoring and evaluation planning on performance of private building projects, to examine the effect of stakeholders’ engagement on performance of private building projects, to assess the effect of capacity building on performance of private building projects and to establish the effect of utilization of M&E results on performance of private building projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored in the Theory of Change and the Dynamic Capabilities Theory both of which were relevant with the study. A descriptive study design was adopted for the study. The sample size of the study consisted 526 respondents from construction firms, architectural firms’, quantity surveying firms and engineering consulting firms operating in Nairobi County. Data was collected by use of questionnaires that were administered to the respondents. The reliability coefficients for research instrument were above the threshold of 0.70. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and by use of inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented through percentages, means and frequencies. Inferential statistics analyses included the use of Correlation and regression analysis. The study found that there was a positive association between Monitoring and evaluation processes and performance of private building projects. The study established that there was a significant correlation between utilization of M&E Results and performance of construction companies with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05, there was a significant correlation between M & E Planning and Performance of Construction Projects with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05, there was a positive relationship between Stakeholder Engagement and Performance of Construction Projects with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05 and capacity building was a significant positive predictor of performance of construction projects with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05. The study concluded that M&E is vital in all phases of the project cycle and that if a construction project's M&E is properly carried out, it will give the management an accurate data (information) of the project progress and allow the management to identify the variation of the projects from the project management plan. The study finally concluded that M&E also aids in improving project management performance as they concentrate on enlisting all stakeholders through an informed monitoring and evaluation system, resulting in synergy and excellent output in the development of construction projects. Based on the findings that M&E planning has the highest correlation with project performance, it is here by recommended that a well thought out M&E plan needs to be in place and be fully implemented if project performance is to enhanced. From the findings, it shows that stakeholders’ engagement requires enhancement of relationships between parties, fostering and maintaining project support, collecting data for the organization, lowering the risk of conflict or other construction issues, and improving the organization's image which will result to enhance construction projects performance. This study therefore recommends that stakeholders’ engagement, is a must for M&E. The findings depicted that capacity building significantly influenced the level of performance of construction projects. This study recommends that to enhance capacity building requires the firms in the construction industry to have formal training to stakeholders which will improve client acceptance, create timely delivery, improve cost effectiveness and improve the organizations acceptance which will result to improvement in project performance. The findings depicted that utilization of M&E xiii results significantly influenced the level of performance of construction projects. The study recommends that the firms in the construction industry should M&E results which will help to obtain accurate data on the project progress. On suggestions of further areas of study, a similar study on the variables of the current study can be conducted in other organizations operating in Kenya for comparison purposes. Lastly, a similar study can be carried out to investigate effect of a moderating or mediating variable on the relationship between monitoring and evaluation and performance of construction projects.

Stakeholders’ participation and the sustainability of street lighting projects in Kiambu County

2025-04-15T10:38:00Z

Stakeholders’ participation and the sustainability of street lighting projects in Kiambu County Maraga, James Nyanchoka Although the Ruiru town, within Ruiru Sub-County, is well lit, the other areas outside the town are either poorly lit or not lit at all. Besides, many of street lighting units are not functioning. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of stakeholder participation on the sustainability of street lighting projects in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. The independent variable (IV) was stakeholders’ participation while the dependent variable (DV) was the sustainability of the street lighting projects. The specific objectives were to evaluate how stakeholder communication strategies influence the sustainability street lighting projects, determine how stakeholder relationship practices influence the sustainability of lighting projects, and to examine how stakeholder empowerment strategies influence the sustainability of street lighting projects. The research adopted the evaluation research design, suitable for assessing an ongoing initiative. The target population was 20,777 households and 17 key informants. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 392 households was determined for the study. Thirteen (13) key informants were purposively selected including the County Government, provincial administration, and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires administered in person to households and key informants. Secondary data was collected from the County Government of Kiambu and KPLC. Thirty-nine questionnaires, which is 10% of the household study sample, were pre-tested in the neighboring Kiuu Ward to ensure the validity and reliability of the research instruments. The study used Cronbach’s alpha method to check for reliability of the instruments, whereas it used the Kaiser- Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity methods to ensure construct validity of the instruments. Data processing involved cleaning and entry into Excel, followed by analysis using SPSS Version 22. Qualitative data from key informants were analyzed thematically and reported verbatim. The key findings of the study showed that communication strategies, relationship practices, and empowerment strategies influenced the sustainability of street lighting projects. The study concluded that effective communication, positive relationships, and empowerment are essential to enhance stakeholder participation, leading to project sustainability. The findings underscore the importance of structured stakeholder participation frameworks to ensure project sustainability. For policy development, the study recommended that policymakers implement a comprehensive stakeholder communication policy that mandates regular, transparent communication and feedback channels. For practice, the study recommended for the development and implementation of a robust stakeholder empowerment strategy aimed at increasing active precipitation in decision- making processes. Based on the findings, a critical area for future research would be the investigation of specific strategies to improve stakeholder inclusion in decision-making processes, with specific focus on exploring the barriers to effective stakeholder inclusion, identification of best practices from similar projects and development of tailored approaches that can be applied to enhance decision-making.

Monitoring and evaluation practices and performance of government of Kenya-funded developmental projects

2025-04-15T10:30:07Z

Monitoring and evaluation practices and performance of government of Kenya-funded developmental projects Nyaga, Katra The need and justification for project monitoring and assessment have thus far been established. However, it is essential to consider the variables that affect monitoring and assessment, especially in county governments where significant projects and resources have stalled. This study investigated the influence of monitoring and evaluation practices on performance of government of Kenya funded developmental projects in Garissa County using the Garissa County cancer center as a case study. Specifically, this study established the influence of M & E team capacity building, M & E planning, and stakeholder participation on performance of government funded developmental projects in Garissa County, Kenya. The study was underpinned by three theories namely, Theory of Change, the System Theory and the Organization Learning theory. The target population included County Executive Committee, Chief Officer’s health and medical services, Directors of health and medical services as well as the 90-unit members of county health department of Garissa. A descriptive study approach was used, including standard deviations, percentages, frequencies and composite means .The findings indicated that capacity team building for the M & E team is associated with a positive and significant effect on the performance of the government funded projects in Garissa County. It was also established that M & E planning is linked to a positive and significant effect on the performance of the government funded projects in Garissa County. Lastly, it was established that ensuring stakeholder participation for the M & E team is associated with a positive and significant effect on the performance of the government funded projects in Garissa County. In view of the findings of the study, the study recommends the M & E division of the county government of Garissa to ensure there is stakeholder involvement in monitoring of its larger development projects. The M & E division of the county government of Garissa should also enhance capacity building of their M & E team so as to improve their competence in conducting M & E functions. There is also a need for the M & E division of the county government of Garissa to conduct a thorough planning before engaging in any M & E activities so as to enhance delivery. Future studies could consider other counties and examining effects of other constructs of monitoring practices that was not considered by the current study.

Utilization of mobile technology for data collection and enhancement of data quality among humanitarian non governmental organizations

2025-04-15T09:16:19Z

Utilization of mobile technology for data collection and enhancement of data quality among humanitarian non governmental organizations Benjamin, Migolo This study will aim to investigate the influence of mobile technology usage for data collection on data quality in the context of data collection for humanitarian non- governmental organizations (NGOs), with a specific focus on World Vision Kenya. The landscape of data collection in humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has evolved significantly in the recent past due to the integration of mobile technology. This paradigm shift is global, with organizations leveraging mobile technology to enhance data collection processes and improve data quality. World Vision International has embraced mobile solutions like Last Mile Mobile Solutions® (LMMS) to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in humanitarian services. World Vision Kenya utilizes mobile apps like KoboCollect and DreamSave among other apps to address data quality challenges. This study aims to investigate how mobile technology use for data collection influences data quality in humanitarian NGOs, focusing on accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, and reliability of the data collected. This study will explore the types of mobile devices and apps used within World Vision Kenya and their influence on data quality. Staff capacity and training in mobile data collection will be assessed, considering how this influences data collection quality. Additionally, organizational support, including policies and resources, will be examined to understand their role in ensuring quality data outputs. Understanding the nuances of mobile technology utilization within humanitarian NGOs is crucial for optimizing data collection processes and improving decision-making in the humanitarian work. This research seeks to contribute to the broader discourse on leveraging technology for humanitarian aid and underscores the importance of data quality in enhancing humanitarian operations

Monitoring and evaluation strategies and performance of conflict prevention programs in Africa

2025-04-15T08:58:49Z

Monitoring and evaluation strategies and performance of conflict prevention programs in Africa Meretework Shawul Areda, Meretework Shawul This study sought to investigate the effect of the monitoring and evaluation strategies and the performance of conflict prevention programs in Africa taking as a case the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) of the African Union (AU). The study was based on three objectives: to assess the extent to which Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) influence the performance of conflict prevention programs, to examine the influence of stakeholder engagement on the performance of conflict prevention programs, and to establish how integration of conflict-sensitive strategies in M&E influences the performance of conflict prevention programs. The theoretical framework covered the theory of change and stakeholder theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to understand the research variables in-depth and make informed recommendations. The research site for the study is Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as the seat of the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) of the African Union. The target population of 125 comprising staff members of the Political Affairs Peace and Security (PAPS) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) working and supporting conflict prevention programs of CEWS was considered. The sample size of the study calculated by using the Krejcie & Morgan table is 95. The researcher used questionnaires to gather the required information by drop-off and pick-up method as well as mailed surveys depending on the convenience. The research questionnaire was tested for consistency to correct inconsistencies. Further, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient has been used to estimate instrument reliability using the pilot responses, and it returned 0.801, which is fairly high. Once the required data was collected after securing authorization from the relevant bodies, the data was analyzed using SPSS version 29. After the finalization of the data collection, analysis of the data was made using means and standard deviations to assess the central tendencies and dispersion of the data. The study’s results revealed alignments with findings as well as discrepancies with prior studies. It emphasized the importance of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), stressing the need for alignment with strategic goals and the establishment of baseline and targets. A thorough stakeholder analysis involving internal and external stakeholders, as well as clear roles and responsibilities, were deemed crucial. Additionally, the study highlighted the significance of conflict-sensitive M&E practice, along with detailed context analysis. The study recommended the development of clear and measurable KPIs, the establishment of baseline and targets, with participation from both internal and external stakeholders, and prioritizing the integration of conflict-sensitive practice to address challenges and enhance the effectiveness of conflict prevention programs in Africa.

Effect of community participation on performance of child sponsorship programs

2025-04-14T10:02:20Z

Effect of community participation on performance of child sponsorship programs Ndungu, Peter Ngigi Performance of child sponsorship programs is critical in determining if the programs achieve the overarching goal of promoting child development. Understanding how community participation influences the performance of these programs is essential, considering that children live within a community context. Child sponsorship programs are designed to support children and youth beneficiaries through one aspect or many aspects of life such as health, education, skills development, talent development among others. This study proposed to investigate the effect of community participation on the performance of child sponsorship using Compassion International as the case study. The core objectives of the research were to determine the influence of community participatory planning on the performance of child sponsorship programs in Kenya, to establish the influence of community resources contribution on the performance of child sponsorship programs in Kenya, and to examine the effect of community participation in monitoring and evaluation on the performance of child sponsorship programs in Kenya. The study used Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation as the guiding theory and employed descriptive research design in research methodology. The target population was project-units team members comprised of project directors and community representatives, who implement the project. The sampling procedure used was stratified sampling where a sample size of 180 out of a total 328 project-units team members was approached to inform the study. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the information from the selected respondents, and it was first piloted with 10 respondents who had similar characteristics to the target population. The questionnaires were then sent to the respondents to self- administer. Data analysis was done by use of Ms Excel and Stata to perform descriptive statistics. The study found that community participation was moderate and that it had a moderate positive effect on the performance of child sponsorship program. The study recommended a deliberate effort to involve the community especially in resources contribution to promote sustainability. Further research should be conducted on the quality of community participation to find its effect on the performance of the program.

Monitoring and evaluation practices and performance of development projects in Kenya

2025-04-14T09:53:19Z

Monitoring and evaluation practices and performance of development projects in Kenya Kinuthia, Ruth Wambui Most countries especially in Africa have many development projects in an attempt to improve the living standards of its citizen. Huge sums of funds have been put into this activity and it is important to get value for money. However, many projects managers do not understand the importance of monitoring and evaluation in successful implementation of projects. The goal of this study was to explore monitoring and Evaluation practices on performance of development projects, precisely to establish influence monitoring and evaluation planning, budgeting and capacity building have on the outcomes of projects. The study was anchored on the theory of change and stakeholder analysis theory. Descriptive research design was applied, target population comprised 290 staff of KYEOP and its implementing agencies, stratified random sampling was adopted and a sample size of 167 staff selected, Yamane formula was applied to determine the sample size. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a pilot conducted in NITA being one of the implementing agencies to pre-test the validity and reliability of the instruments. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Regression, correlation analysis and ANOVA were used to determine the relationship between study variables. All the three independent variables; Planning, budgeting and capacity building affect performance of development projects at KYEOP. Statistical analysis results demonstrated that the three variables significantly affect performance of development projects and strengthening them provides opportunity for improved performance and outcomes of development projects at KYEOP. Results from the Pearson Chi-square statistic at 5% level of significance pointed to lack of sufficient evidence to support the null hypothesis for study objective one; there is no significant relationship between capacity building and performance of development projects at KYEOP (0.002); The Pearson Chi-square statistics at 5% level of significance resulted to sufficient evidence to support the null hypotheses for objective two (0.258) and object three (0.112) of the study. Further research is required to illuminate in dynamics and aspects of budgeting and capacity building in relation to project performance. Further research is required to explore the contribution of other tenets and elements of monitoring and evaluation including data use, data and reporting, organizational learning and monitoring of standards and procedures. Investigating how key stakeholders including the youth are involved in the planning process of development projects is necessary. There is need to institutionalize regular and continuous monitoring in development projects to enhance completion time.

Effects of financial literacy levels of church leaders on funds management of start up church organizations

2025-04-14T09:43:32Z

Effects of financial literacy levels of church leaders on funds management of start up church organizations Wasakumunua, Shekinah Hosseya The regulation of church finances has proven to be difficult for governments and their respective regulatory bodies all over the world. The same is notable in Kenya as regulators and policymakers struggle to draw the line between the nature of religious organizations and their evident financial operations that keep growing as the number of believers’ increase. The fact is that policies and regulations are based on the infrastructures provided by the academic levels of knowledge within a specific field. Whereby, to financially regulate churches, there must be a screening to determine which levels of academic literacy can be considered the base line for the creation of adequate structures for policies for this purpose. Therefore, the study sought to investigate the effects of the different levels of financial literacy on fund management of start-up churches. The study was guided by three specific objectives: firstly, to analyze how the advanced levels of financial literacy affect fund management of start-up churches in Kasarani Constituency. Secondly, to evaluate the efficiency of the intermediate levels of financial literacy church leaders fund management of start-up churches and finally to access the extent to which the beginner levels of financial literacy church leaders affect the fund management of start-up churches. The researcher adopted the descriptive design. Through the multistage sampling approach, the respondents—church leaders—were taken from 20 different and distinct churches within the same county. Then Strata groups were used to categorize respondents. The first strata group consisted of the 3 levels of the organization’s management (Table 3.5.1), the sub- strata groups consisted of the 3 levels of financial literacy (Table 3.5.2) which provided the actual respondents. The number of respondents was of 139 church leaders who manage and oversee church organizations that have less than 5 years of operation since conception. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire, while secondary data was collected through journals, articles, internet searches and censuses. The data collected was processed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences application, and the findings were analyzed and presented using figures and tables. The findings revealed that advanced levels of financial literacy among church leaders positively influenced fund management for start-up churches, whereas the intermediate or the beginner levels showed no significant impact. The study was grounded in the theory that behaviors and practices, rather than academic knowledge alone, shape leadership effectiveness. Despite the importance of financial education, the findings underscored the significance of contextual factors. the study suggested further examination of the intermediate level's influence on fund management, given the potential sampling errors. Recommendations included prioritizing advanced financial education for church leaders, advocating for tailored financial management courses, and emphasizing the importance of behaviors and practices in fund management. It was also suggested that future research should focus on refining measures of financial literacy and exploring the role of academic qualifications in the enhancement fund management accountability.

Work life balance practices and employee performance in Public Corporations in Kenya

2025-04-14T09:33:22Z

Work life balance practices and employee performance in Public Corporations in Kenya Saipi, James Lengewa Work-life balance is the working arrangements that ensure an employee balances personal and work responsibilities. Poor Work-Life Balance is a significant risk that poses risks to the well-being of the employees, their performance, and organizational performance. The study sought to determine the effect of work-life balance practices on employee performance with a focus on employees working at the National Hospital Insurance Fund headquarters in Kenya. The objectives of the research study were to; establish the effect of leave policy on employee performance with a focus on employees in National Hospital Insurance Fund headquarters in Kenya; determine the effect of flexible working arrangements on employee performance with a focus on employees in National Hospital Insurance Fund headquarters in Kenya; establish the effect of employee welfare policies on employee performance with focus on employees in National Hospital Insurance Fund headquarters in Kenya. The research findings shall be helpful to policymakers and in the management of employees of the National Hospital Insurance Fund headquarters. The study adopted a descriptive quantitative research design. The targeted population of the study consisted of employees working at NHIF headquarters, who were 205 employees. The target population was be drawn from Operations, Human Resource, Financial Services, Strategy, Planning & Marketing, ICT, and Beneficiary & Provider Management departments. The researcher adopted the stratified sampling technique to get a representative sample for the research. The sample size was 133 respondents. The researcher used primary data collected using structured questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed through IBM SPSS Statistics Version 28. Quantitative data was presented using statistical techniques such as pie charts, frequency tables, and bar graphs. The study investigated the effects of leave policies, flexible work arrangements, and welfare policies on employee performance at NHIF headquarters. The findings revealed significant positive relationships between these policies and employee performance. Effective leave policies allow employees to manage job-related stress and improve productivity, while flexible work arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours, boost morale and retention. Additionally, welfare policies addressing well-being, such as wellness programs and childcare assistance, enhance employee performance. Organizations with these policies tend to see improved performance, highlighting the importance of implementing comprehensive policies to support employees' work-life balance and well-being, ultimately leading to better performance within organizations.

Monitoring and evaluation practices and workers performance at Burundi union mission

2025-04-14T09:24:04Z

Monitoring and evaluation practices and workers performance at Burundi union mission Paul, Irakoze Organisations seek to improve overall performance by being keen on worker performance. Workers are critical in that they control the sequence of routines and processes that are meant to lead to the required output. The success of these processes and routines depends on the decisions made by the workers during interaction with them. Among the ways that worker performance can be enhanced is through engaging in monitoring and evaluation practices. However, the employees face challenges such as serving a huge population with minimal workers, traditional beliefs, being barred by local authority (chief), shortage of financial resources, and hindrances to mission work by an unstable government. Therefore, this study sought to establish whether monitoring and evaluation practices enhance worker performance. The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of monitoring and evaluation on workers' performance in the Burundi Union Mission. While the specific objectives are: to examine how the monitoring and evaluation planning process influences workers' performance in the Burundi Union Mission To examine the monitoring and evaluation of technical expertise on workers' performance in the Burundi Union Mission - To determine the M&E stakeholder engagement on workers' performance in the Burundi Union Mission; - To investigate how monitoring and evaluation management support influences workers' performance in the Burundi Union Mission. The Theory of Change (ToC) and Realistic Evaluation Theory (RET) were used to explain the theoretical relationship between the variables. This research mainly used a census whereby workers and leaders shared their views by filling out a questionnaire on monitoring and evaluation practices and workers' performance. The study population consisted of 63 people. The population comprised leaders, department directors, accountants, district pastors, and other workers. Once the information had been gathered, quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics with the help of the computer Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. From the study findings, it was deduced that the monitoring and evaluation planning process, monitoring and evaluation technical expertise, monitoring and evaluation stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and evaluation management support had a positive impact on workers performance. The study recommends that the Union Mission ought to keep putting emphasis on and funding a solid monitoring and evaluation planning process. It should institutionalise monitoring and evaluation in policy frameworks by making sure that organisational policy frameworks and standards include monitoring and evaluation planning. The study concluded that the monitoring and evaluation planning process, monitoring and evaluation technical expertise, monitoring and evaluation stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and evaluation management support were positive and significant predictors of workers' performance. The study was conducted exclusively at the Burundi Union Mission. It is advised that the study be repeated in other faith-based institutions. Further research should also be done to examine the difficulties encountered while implementing monitoring and evaluation practices in faith-based organisations.