Determinants Of Success Of Constituency Development Projects In Mbooni Constituency, Makueni County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Constituency development fund (CDF) was established in 2003 through the CDF Act in the Kenyan Gazette Supplement No. 107 (Act No. 11) of 9th January, 2004. It was established as an attempt to balance development among regions in the country by devolving funds proportionate to the poverty index in each constituency. The fund was designed to support constituency-level, grass-root development projects. It was aimed to achieve equitable distribution of development resources across regions and to control imbalances in regional development brought about by partisan politics. It targets all constituency-level development projects, particularly those aiming to combat poverty at the grassroots. The CDF program has facilitated the putting up of new water, health and education facilities in all parts of the country, including remote areas that were usually overlooked during funds allocation in national budgets. Unlike other development funds that filter from the central government through larger and more levels of administrative organs, constituency development funds go directly to the local levels. CDF projects have however faced a number of challenges and this is evidenced by the number of projects that have stalled while others have been completed and are yet to become operational. The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of the success of CDF projects in Mbooni Constituency in Makueni County. The study derived its data from various development projects funded by CDF in Mbooni constituency. Data primary in nature was collected because the researcher wanted to establish the major determinants of success of CDF projects. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in the research. A descriptive research design was used for the purpose of the study. The study focused on reliable response from CDF managers, project implementers and project beneficiaries. The data was collected by use of questionnaires, observation checklists and interviews. The data collected was analyzed and interpreted both quantitatively and qualitatively using statistical tools such as Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft excel. The data was presented using descriptive statistics and correlation statistics. The findings of the study had both theoretical and practical implications on the future of CDF projects and National Development in Kenya particularly in the rural areas. The findings of this research were very helpful to CDF project managers and teams, research institutions and the government who are the major stakeholders.