FACTORS INFLUENCING SUSTAINABILITY OF SANITATION AND HYGIENE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY WORLD VISION KENYA IN POKOT CENTRAL SUB-COUNTY, WEST POKOT COUNTY, KENYA

Mwau Brian Masila - Master of Arts Degree in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Dr. Agnes Magu - Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study's objective was to evaluate the factors affecting the sanitation and hygiene initiatives run by World Vision in West Pokot County over the long term. The study set out to ascertain the impact of funding, community involvement, technical expertise and information technology on the sustainability of sanitation and hygiene projects in Pokot Central Sub-county. This study was anchored on resource dependence theory, stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory. The study adopted a descriptive design, and the target population included the 236 employees working at the headquarters of World Vision in Karen and opinion leaders in Pokot Central Sub-county. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 148 respondents. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while descriptive statistics was adopted for the quantitative data. In order to assess the degree of relationship between the dependent and independent variables, multiple linear regression analysis was utilized. The study discovered a statistically significant association (p=0.000, and beta=0.099) between community involvement and the sustainability of sanitation and hygiene programs. Additionally, the study indicated that there is a statistically insignificant positive relationship between technical expertise and the sustainability of sanitation and hygiene projects (p=0.389, beta=0.32). The study also found a statistically insignificant negative relationship between funding and the sustainability of sanitation and hygiene projects (p=0.771, beta=-0.011), suggesting that a decrease in funding sources could lead to a decrease in project sustainability. Finally, the study indicated a statistically insignificant positive relationship between technology and the sustainability of sanitation and hygiene projects (p=0.183, beta=0.030). The study recommends that the local community members should be allowed to participate in the process of deciding upon and organizing water and sanitation infrastructure from the initial stages of planning to implementation. It is also recommended that the management of World Vision hires experts to manage sanitation and hygiene projects. Adequate funding should be provided to ensure the smooth running of the projects. Lastly, the management should deploy the right ICT tools, such as mobile phones and computers, to ensure real-time collection and dissemination of data and information.

Full Length Research (PDF Format)