The Influence of Project Management Practices on the Sustainability of Water Projects Funded by Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol5iss2pp1-10Keywords:
Project management practices, management skills, project sustainabilityAbstract
In Kenya, 41 million people lack access to proper sanitation, with slum dwellers in Nairobi being the most severely affected. Approximately 60-70% of Nairobi’s residents have access to piped water; however, the consistency and quality of this water supply vary significantly among different neighbourhoods and settlements within the city. NGOs such as USAID, Kenya Integrated WASH, Kenya Resilient Arid Lands, and UNICEF have funded water projects to increase access to safe and clean water and sanitation through various programmes. The county has implemented measures such as drilling boreholes to reduce operational costs and improve water accessibility; however, the sustainability of these projects is regarded as poor and does not meet standards. Against this background, the study aims to analyse the impact of management skills as a component of project management practices on the sustainability of water projects funded by NGOs in Nairobi County, Kenya. Project management theory underpins the study variables. A descriptive research design supports the study objectives. The target population comprises 1270 households, including technical staff, senior managers, and project supervisors. A sample size of 304 respondents was determined using simple random sampling with a stratified approach. Primary data was collected through structured and semi-structured questionnaires. The researcher conducted an in-depth analysis using statistical packages in social science after coding and cleaning the collected data. A simple regression model was employed to assess the influence of management skills on the sustainability of water projects funded by NGOs in Nairobi County. Analysis of variance confirmed the relevance of the regression model, indicating significant variation caused by the independent variables. Pearson’s correlation matrix was used to determine the relationships among the variables studied. Findings highlight the importance of effective management in enhancing sustainability, while also exploring additional variables to improve the model's explanatory power. The analysis of the regression model and ANOVA results reveals a more substantial influence of management skills as a significant predictor of project sustainability. Overall, the results provide valuable insights for NGOs and stakeholders to optimise their strategies and ensure the long-term success of water projects.
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