article · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
This research assesses the effect of community participation during project execution on the overall performance of the Mazingira Bora water, sanitation, and hygiene initiative in Nairobi's Mukuru informal settlement. Using a mixed-methods design, data was gathered from 400 household heads, four area chiefs, and four project managers through surveys and interviews. The findings demonstrate that community engagement throughout implementation significantly improved project outcomes. While the majority of participants reported being informed, consulted, and actively involved, persistent challenges were identified regarding communication breakdowns, exclusion, and absent mechanisms for systematically integrating feedback. Regular feedback loops fostered local ownership, transparency, and accountability, thereby driving stronger project results. To enhance future initiatives, the study advises boosting resource mobilisation, forming dedicated local committees, and partnering with educational institutions to support programme roll-out.
Water and sanitation initiatives in informal settlements often struggle if local residents are merely informed rather than genuinely heard. By showing that structured participation directly improves project performance, this research helps development agencies and urban authorities understand how transparent communication and feedback mechanisms protect investments and ensure long-term community benefits.
The findings provide actionable operational insights for non-governmental organisations, municipal planners, and development contractors delivering urban infrastructure projects. The research is applied and tested within a real-world informal settlement setting. Implementing the recommendations involves adopting structured stakeholder management frameworks and committee models, which could be integrated into public procurement standards or donor-funded project delivery toolkits.
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This study purposed to establish the influence of community participation at project implementation stage on project performance of Mazingira Bora Wash Project in Mukuru informal settlement, Nairobi City County. The study was anchored on the stakeholders Theory. Convergent parallel design and mixed methods approach were used in the research using a sample size of 400 household heads, 4 areas chiefs and 4 project managers. Census sampling was used to recruit the project managers; purposive sampling technique was used on the area chiefs while Yamane’s scientific formula was used to establish a sampling size of 400 community household heads. Data collection was done using questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Measures of central tendency and dispersion, such as frequency distributions, mean, and standard deviation were computed using SPSS (Version-26) and presented in form of figures, tabulation, graphs and charts, percentages, and frequencies. Narrative thematic analysis was used to find patterns and themes in the qualitative data. Findings indicated that engagement during the implementation phase demonstrated a strong influence (β = .22, p = .004) on project performance, with most respondents reporting being informed, consulted, and actively engaged in implementation activities. Conclusion: Stakeholder engagement during execution strongly influenced performance. Most respondents were consulted and involved, but issues with communication and exclusion were noted. There was also a lack of systematic feedback integration, indicating that being "involved" does not always mean being effectively heard or included. Frequent feedback encouraged community ownership, accountability, and transparency; all of which enhanced results. Recommendations: It was recommended that stakeholders should enhance resource mobilization and transparency; establishment of WASH Committees was suggested; also, enhancing collaboration with educational Institutions for relevant programs development and implementation. Key words: Community Participation; Project Implementation; Project Performance
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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22116336
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