Factors Influencing Completion of Water Projects in Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate factors that influence completion of water projects in Kenya using Kakamega County as a case study. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of client-related factors and contractor-related factors. The instrument of data collection was questionnaires. The target population consisted of 104 employees working for water projects in Mumias and Lugari, and also contractors and professionals who have been engaged in water projects in Kakamega County. Simple random and purposive sampling was used to select 90 respondents who formed the sample size. The response rate was 82%. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation. The main factors that were associated with client included financial capacity, owner interference, the imposition of contract duration , decision-making ability, and change in project scope which had a positive relationship with project completion (r = 0.302, p <0.05). The contractor-related factors studied were financial capacity, equipment availability and quality, skilled workforce, site supervision ability, material availability, and control over sub-contractors which had a positive relationship with project completion (r = 0.668, p < 0.05). Therefore, both client-related and contractor-related factors had a significant relationship with project completion.