Analysis of effect of budgetary allocation on Performance of county road maintenance projects in Kenya: case of Starehe constituency in Nairobi county

Abstract

With the devolved government, a number of functions were localized to bring services close to the people, these haven’t been fully achieved as there is outcry that a number of projects stalled while others delayed due to funding. This study therefore, aimed to assess the impact of budget allocation on the effectiveness of road maintenance projects in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on factors such as access to financial resources, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices, management competencies, and political influence. The research sought to determine how these factors impacted the performance outcomes of county road maintenance projects. Adopting descriptive research approach, data was collected using structured questionnaires targeting county staff officers in finance and project departments. A total of 48 people were chosen for the study using a census sample technique. To evaluate the validity and reliability of the research instruments, a pilot study was carried out in a nearby sub-county prior to the main investigation. Following data collection, statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, which produced results that were presented and interpreted using percentage frequency, means, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. The inferential statistics revealed strong positive correlations between access to funding (r = 0.782, p < 0.01), management competencies (r = 0.610, p < 0.01), monitoring and evaluation practices (r = 0.642, p < 0.01), and political intervention (r = 0.701, p < 0.01) with project performance. The regression model explained 62.4% of the variance in project performance, underscoring the significant role of funding, management, M&E practices, and political factors in influencing the outcomes of road maintenance projects in Starehe. The study concluded that the performance of county road maintenance projects in Starehe was generally unsatisfactory. Many projects faced delays, budget overruns, and failure to meet intended objectives. Key challenges included corruption, political interference, inadequate funding, and poor leadership. Despite these challenges, the study identified key solutions, such as improved governance, training, and enhanced monitoring. The findings highlighted that access to funding was critical to project success, with timely and adequate funding playing a crucial role in ensuring projects were completed on time and within budget. While M&E practices were acknowledged as vital, they were inconsistent and required improvement. Management competencies, especially in terms of experience and skills, were also essential for project success, though workforce qualifications needed to be further developed. Political intervention was found to negatively impact project performance, with internal rivalries and corruption hindering progress. However, the study emphasized that good governance could significantly improve the performance of these projects. The study made several recommendations for addressing these issues: The Nairobi City County government should enhance budget allocation and ensure timely disbursement of funds for road maintenance projects. Secondly, the County Ministry of Transport should strengthen the M&E framework, ensuring consistent and effective monitoring practices. Thirdly, Project management teams should invest in continuous training and development to enhance management competencies. Finaly, Political leaders in Starehe should minimize political interference and focus on promoting good governance to ensure the success of road maintenance projects.