Influence of monitoring and evaluation practices on the Performance of Holy Ghost donor-funded projects in Makueni County, Kenya.

Abstract

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices are essential for enhancing accountability, learning, and effectiveness in donor-funded development initiatives. Despite their significance, limited empirical research exists on how planning, stakeholder involvement, data management, and staff competencies in M&E influence project performance, particularly within faith-based contexts. This study investigated the influence of M&E practices on the performance of Holy Ghost donor funded projects in Makueni County, Kenya. Grounded in the Logical Framework Approach and Theory of Change, the study sought to: examine how planning affects project performance; assess the influence of stakeholder involvement in M&E; evaluate the role of data management; and analyze how staff competencies impact project success. A descriptive survey design was employed. The target population comprised project managers, M&E officers, donors, and community beneficiaries involved in Holy Ghost donor-funded projects. Stratified random sampling was used to select 78 participants. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, percentages, standard deviations), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Key findings from Objective One revealed that strategic planning enhanced decision-making (68%), risk management reduced disruptions (67%), and alignment with donor expectations improved performance (69%). Under Objective Two, frequent stakeholder consultations (70%), community participation (72%), and stakeholder feedback use (68%) significantly influenced project engagement and outcomes. For Objective Three, technology-supported data collection (70%), timely reporting (69%), and accessible data sharing (69%) improved project responsiveness and accountability. Findings from Objective Four showed that trained M&E staff (71%), data analysis capacity (72%), and actionable recommendations (67%) critically enhanced project effectiveness. The study concludes that effective M&E practices positively influence donor-funded project performance. It recommends strengthening risk management, stakeholder engagement, digital data systems, and continuous M&E staff training. Further research is proposed on AI integration in M&E and comparative analysis of M&E practices in faith-based versus non-faith-based projects.