The Effect of Stakeholder Involvement on Project Sustainability of Kenya Adaptation Fund Projects in Kajiado County
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t2606Abstract
struggle to sustain their benefits beyond the period of external funding. Growing evidence suggests that stakeholder involvement plays a vital role in promoting sustainability through enhanced ownership, accountability, and collective responsibility for project outcomes. However, empirical evidence regarding the influence of stakeholder involvement on the sustainability of donor-funded climate adaptation projects in developing-country contexts remains limited, fragmented, and inconclusive. This study sought to determine the effect of stakeholder involvement on the sustainability of donor-funded water projects implemented under the Kenya Adaptation Fund Programme in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design targeting 112 respondents comprising 12 NEMA staff and 100 beneficiary households from three Kenya Adaptation Fund water projects in Kajiado County, Kenya. A census approach was employed, and data were collected using researcher-administered questionnaires and guided interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis in SPSS Version 28, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed a high level of stakeholder involvement in project implementation and governance. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between stakeholder involvement and project sustainability (r = 0.769, p < 0.01). Regression analysis further established that stakeholder involvement significantly influenced project sustainability (β = 0.432, B = 0.415, t = 4.462, p < 0.001), indicating that increased stakeholder participation enhances sustainability outcomes. Qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results by demonstrating that inclusive stakeholder engagement in project planning and decision-making fostered community ownership, accountability, and long-term commitment to project benefits. The study concludes that stakeholder involvement is a critical determinant of the sustainability of donor-funded water projects, as it strengthens community ownership, accountability, and commitment to maintaining project benefits beyond donor support. The study recommends that development agencies and project implementers institutionalize stakeholder participation throughout the project lifecycle, including post-implementation monitoring and evaluation, to enhance long-term sustainability outcomes.
Keywords: Stakeholder Involvement; Project Sustainability; Donor-Funded Projects; Community Participation.
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