FACTORS INFLUENCING USE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION SYSTEMS ON PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS IN BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA.

Desmond Situma Barasa

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Kenya.

Dr. Christine Ngari, PhD

University of Eldoret

P.o Box 1125-30100,

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Eldoret-Kenya

CITATION: Barasa, D., S., & Ngari, C. (2019) Factors Influencing Use Of Monitoring And Evaluation Systems On Performance Of County Agricultural Projects In Bungoma County, Kenya. International Journal of Strategic Management. Vol. 8 (2) pp 48 – 63.

ABSTRACT

Monitoring and Evaluation is key in every project as it provides information which is used to assess the project effects and impacts to determine if the intended objectives have been met. It also allows those involved in development of activities to be accountable, achieve better results and learn from the experience. Monitoring and Evaluation of projects is critical because government funds, majorly from taxation and donor funds are put into such projects. Despite the National government having transferred colossal amounts to County governments, the Monitoring and Evaluation of the county development programs throughout implementation has not been operational. The main purpose of the research was to establish the factors influencing the use of Monitoring and Evaluation systems on performance of county agricultural projects in Bungoma County. The study sought to determine the influence of technical expertise, budgetary allocation, stakeholder’s participation and how politics influence the use of Monitoring and Evaluation systems on agricultural projects in Bungoma County. The study used qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data was gathered and analysed by use of descriptive research design. The target population was 116 Bungoma county agricultural project employees, who comprised of County Agricultural project consultants/Surveyors, County Agricultural project staff, County Financial and accountant officers, Monitoring and Evaluation officers and Agricultural Project beneficiaries in Bungoma County. The results of the study indicated that there was a strong relationship between technical expertise, budgetary allocation, stakeholder’s participation and political influence and the use Monitoring and Evaluation systems on performance of County agricultural projects. The study concludes that technical expertise, budgetary allocation, stakeholder’s participation and political influence are important factors influencing the use Monitoring and Evaluation systems on performance of County projects. The study recommends that Bungoma county agricultural project officers should be allocated sufficient financial resources to enhance monitoring and evaluation of agricultural projects.

Keywords: Technical expertise, budgetary allocation, stakeholder’s participation, political influence.

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