International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue X, October 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems on Performance of Infrastructural Projects in Kenya: A Case of Bomet County, Kenya

Winnie Chepkemoi, Dr Moses M. M Otieno (Ph.D)
Lecturer School of Open and Distance Learning, University of Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT:-Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) techniques helps address the issue of measuring performance and achievement of projects. M&E has become imperative in all county programs and projects. No county pursuing development initiatives would proceed at all without M&E framework in place. This study purposed to find out the influence of M&E systemson performance of infrastructural projects in Kenyan county governments: a case of Bomet county. In this study monitoring and evaluation was defined by its activities: budgetary allocation, baseline surveys, performance reviews, and capacity building while project performance of building and construction was taken to be the extent to which goals were achieved. The study objectives included: to establish how budgetary allocation on monitoring and evaluation influence performance of building and construction projects, to determine how baseline surveys influence performance of building and construction projects, to establish the influence of performance reviews on performance of building and construction projects, and to assess the influence of capacity building in M&E on performance of building and construction projects. The study utilized Mugenda and Mugenda assertion to arrive at a sample size of 100 respondents and stratified sampling was used to sample devolved functions from Bomet County. This study used primary data collected via a questionnaire and secondary data collected via published reports and other documents. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were also done to show the relationship between the study variables. The study concludes that there are budgets set to carry out M&E among infrastructural projects in Bomet County government and that various activities included in M&E budget were scope of major M&E events and functions, key stakeholder informational needs and expectations, and M&E requirements. It was also concluded that baseline survey helpsin understanding project expectation and that baseline surveys enhances the project performance of infrastructural projectsin Bomet Countyto a large extent. The study concludes that performance reviews enhances the project performance of building and construction in Bomet County to a large extent. The study recommends that the relevant government bodies, the NGOs, World Bank and other donors, the contractors and all the bodies handling these projects must have a specific welldefined source of financing the M&E exercise. It also recommends that monitoring personnel should be well trained so as to achieve the target ofM&E.

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Monitoring is a continuous process of collecting information on–going projects or programmes concerning the nature and level of their performance (Nyonje, Ndunge & Mulwa, 2012). Mulwa (2008) describes monitoring as a process of collecting and managing project data that provides feedback as pertains to the progress of a project. Mulwa (2008) adds that the process involves measuring, assessing, recording and analyzing the project information on a continuous basis and communicating the same to those concerned.
Project evaluation is a process that involves systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of project related data that can be used to understand how the project is functioning in relation to its objectives (Nyonje, Ndunge, Mulwa, 2012). Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) need to be designed as an intertwined participatory exercise where all stakeholders are involved (Shirley, 1999). M&E ensures that project resources and inputs are put into the intended use and that the project addresses what it initially intended to do.