FACTORS INFLUENCING PROGRAMME SUSTAINABILITY OF ORGANIZATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN KENYA: A CASE OF KENYA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
Bukhala Solomon Marobolo - Master of Arts, Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Ganesh Pokhariyal - Lecturer University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Projects are deemed to be sustainable if they can be able to effectively meet set needs by benefiting population without placing any threats on the ability of future generations to meet their needs from the same projects. Project sustainability is a key predicament since most organizational projects stall after a short duration of time. Most implemented organizational projects require huge amounts of money in order to ensure the attainment of project goals however, when external funding ceases leads to sustainability challenges. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that influences programme sustainability of organizations for persons with disability in Kenya with a case of Kenya Society for the Blind. The researcher used descriptive research design in the attempts to describe the relationship between the various identified factors and project sustainability. The target population was all the employees of Kenya Society for the Blind involved in project implementation as well as community members who have previously benefited from the society. The study consequently used a sample size of 20% from every employee sub-category involved in project implementation. The researcher used primary data collected via the use of structured questionnaires. The researcher also collected qualitative data from the field via the usage of interview guides. Data collected from the questionnaires were edited for completeness, coded and then entered into SPSS program for subsequent analysis. The results of analysis were presented in the form of tables and figures besides the computed means, percentages and frequencies so as to enhance the understanding of the research findings. The study found out that systemic collection of project data improves on external and internal accountability of invested resources translating to the realization of planned activities hence positively influencing sustainability, community involvement in project implementation benefits the intended projects since all stakeholders will be willing to mobilize resources thus ensuring project continuity leading to sustainability, monitoring and evaluation affects programme sustainability at the Kenya Society for the Blind and the incorporation of sustainable thinking in community development projects ensures continuity of these projects hence enabling local communities to reap social benefits even after such projects are completed. The study concluded that project managers with good management skills are regarded as good leaders, internal accountability of invested resources translates to the realization of planned activities, monitoring assesses progress and project objectivity if current project phase is on course leading to the detection of deviation from set plan and rectification, community participation has a great positive effect on programme sustainability and incorporation of sustainable thinking in community development. The study recommends that organizations for persons with disabilities should select project managers with good management skills, regularly evaluate the efficiency of their project teams in the utilization of resources and should continuously and regularly ensure sustainability of their programmes and this call for incorporation of sustainable thinking in community development projects.