Influence of Project Funding on Implementation of Government-Funded Projects in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County

Monitoring and evaluation is a critical component of project design, execution, and management. Kenyan county administrations have been carrying out development projects since 2013, but the completion of some of the development projects has faced serious implementation challenges. This study analysed the monitoring and evaluation practices that influence the implementation of a project that is financed by funds from the government. The targeted population comprised 113 staff working in the selected five departments in Meru County Government that deal with projects at the sub-county level. A sample size of 92 staff participated in the study. Staff was selected using the proportionate stratified together with a simple random sampling technique, while all heads of department were purposively picked. A questionnaire was distributed to staff while HODs were interviewed. Piloting enabled checking the reliability and validity of instruments. The mean and standard deviation helped to summarise the collected data. The results indicated that project funding, competencies of a project manager, employee capacity building and community participation were empirically confirmed to have significant weight on the successful implementation of projects. The study noted that reliable revenue streams, standards, best practices, and a well-designed financial plan are essential for the successful implementation of projects. The study recommends the need for the county government to allocate sufficient funding at the project’s inception to facilitate the acquisition of requisite equipment and finance initial operational activities. The government departments at the county level should prioritise enhancing the project management skills of staff involved in projects. The finishing of the identified projects is indispensable; hence, the results will change the manner in which government-funded projects are implemented by the county government.