Abstract:
The study assessed influence of community participation on the performance of donor-funded projects, specifically focusing on Kenya Integrated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (KIWASH) program in Kakamega County, Kenya. Despite significant resources approximately USD 51 million investment from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) between 2015 and 2022, serious concerns persist over performance of sanitation initiatives, with many facilities remaining underutilized or non-functional in Kakamega County. The study was guided by Stakeholder Theory, emphasizes involving communities in decision-making, accountability, and capacity building enhances ownership, transparency, technical support and long-term success. The study adopted descriptive research design, targeting project beneficiaries, community leaders, and project staff, quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27 involved descriptive statistics, and multiple regression techniques was used to test relationships among variables. Study findings revealed that community participation in decision-making significantly enhances project performance by aligning project goals with community priorities. Additionally, community-based accountability mechanisms enhanced transparency in resource use and allocation, participatory monitoring, and feedback sharing positively influenced project efficiency, trust, and sustainability. Furthermore, capacity-building initiatives, including training and technical skill development, had a strong positive effect on project outcomes, equipping beneficiaries to manage and sustain WASH facilities effectively. Conclusions from the study, active and inclusive community participation is a critical determinant of donor-funded project performance. It recommends that future WASH programs institutionalize community-led decision-making, strengthen participatory accountability systems, and prioritize continuous capacity development to improve project ownership and by the community.
Key Words: Community Participation; Decision-Making; Accountability; Capacity Building; Project Performance.
