Participatory monitoring and evaluation and sustainability of water projects in Matapato North Ward, Kajiado County

Abstract

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) has been found to have a significant influence on sustainability of water projects, particularly in rural areas. Moreover, PM&E has shown high effectiveness in community-based water projects, particularly in Kajiado County. This study aimed to assess the PM&E on sustainability of water projects in Matapato North Ward, Kajiado County. It was focused on three specific objectives: determining the influence of community involvement on sustainability of water projects in Matapato Ward, Kajiado County; assessing the influence decision making on sustainability of water projects in Matapato Ward, Kajiado County and examining the influence of capacity building on sustainability of water projects on Matapato Ward, Kajiado County. The study was guided by Social Capital Theory and the Theory of Participation, using a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 47,413, with a sample size of 397 determined by the Yamane formula. Data was collected via questionnaires, with a pilot study conducted in Dalalekutuk ward, a neighboring Ward. The reliability and validity of the instruments was tested and data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. The ultimate goal was to understand how PM&E contributes to maintaining functional water points, increasing water availability and sustaining water facilities. From the sample of 397, the study findings established 290 respondents in the study which represented a 73% response rate. Descriptive findings noted a composite mean of 3.68>3.0 for community involvement; 3.2>3.0 for decision making and 4.054>3.0 for capacity building meaning that majority of the respondents agreed that the three variables had a positive influence on water projects in Matapato North Ward, Kajiado County. After conducting Inferential analysis, the study demonstrated that community involvement had an insignificant influence on sustainability of water projects in Matapato Ward r=0.048, p<0.05; decision making had a significant and positive influence on sustainability of water projects in Matapato Ward, r=0.232, p<0.01; and finally, capacity building had a significant and positive influence on sustainability of water projects in Matapato Ward r=0.208, p<0.01. The study concluded that while community involvement may not have shown significant statistical influence in this study, decision making and capacity building are critical for the sustainability of water projects. The study recommended strengthening community participation and policy makers to use empirical data and insights from the study to make evidence based decisions that enhances project outcomes.