The effects of stakeholder’s participation on project sustainability among donor- funded projects in Kenya: case of The Kenya Innovation Engine

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to determine the effects of stakeholder’s engagement on project sustainability among donor- funded projects in Kenya within The Kenya Innovation Engine. Additionally, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of donor engagement implementors engagement and beneficiaries’ engagement on project sustainability among donor- funded projects in Kenya. Moreover, the study was anchored on stakeholders’ theory which facilitated in the understanding organizational functioning regarding diverse constituents in which it is embedded. The study used both primary and secondary data. Descriptive research design was used to assist in analyzing the data gathered from a representative subset. The target population for this study constituted 214 respondents in the organization. This study used stratified sampling that had 4 strata comprising of department directors, activity managers, value chain specialists and field representative staff. The study used a size of the sample with 67 employees. The research instrument used in this research was questionnaire. In addition, descriptive analysis included mean scores which showed stakeholders’ engagement and standard deviation showed the variation among data analyzed using SPSS version 26. Further, “Pearson’s correlation analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regressions analysis were used. The study findings were that donor engagement has statistically significant on project sustainability among projects funded by donors in the Kenya Innovation Engine” which had a positive coefficient of 0.129. In addition, the study findings were that Project implementer engagement has statistically significant on project sustainability among projects funded by donors in the Kenya Innovation Engine.” which had a positive coefficient of 0.503. Finally, the study found that beneficiaries’ engagement has statistically shown its significance on project sustainability among projects funded by donors in the Kenya Innovation Engine” which had a negative coefficient of 0.397. The study recommends that on donor engagement that organization should involve donors at all the phases or stages of donor funded project so that donors can get the value of their money, and especially During the co-creation exercise. In addition, the organization should allow donors to identify projects of interest to fund. On the project implementer’s engagement, recommends that organization should ensure that implementers understand the projects they are implementing. Finally, beneficiaries’ engagement, recommends that organizations should ensure that communities participate in projects so that their interests are considered to enhance project ownership among the stakeholders.