Influence of Stakeholder Engagement on Sustainability of Donor Funded Projects in the Health Sector in Kenya

Purpose: The study sought to find out the influence of stakeholder engagement on the sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. Methodology: This study used a mixed method research design where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, then analyzed, and conclusions drawn. The research design used was explanatory. The target population was 700 employees drawn from various stakeholders in the health sector. The study adopted stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques to select a sample of 230 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect primary data. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. The data was presented using Tables. Findings: The study found out that there exists a relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. The statistical results of coefficients showed that the legal and regulatory framework moderates the relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. The study therefore concludes that an improvement in stakeholder engagement will lead to an improvement in sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on Ladder of Participation Model. The study therefore recommends that the health sector in Kenya should work towards strengthening the frameworks for stakeholder engagement in the health-related projects if sustainability of the projects must be attained. There is great need to review and ensure stakeholder relationship management, stakeholder participation in decision making of key activities as well as ensure avenues to enable stakeholders actively participate in project activities across the entire project life cycle. The study recommends stakeholder mapping to be done based on meritocracy. The study recommends that the legal and regulatory framework around the stakeholder engagement should be strengthened to ensure compliance.