Assessing the Effects of Monitoring and Evaluation in The Implementation of Donor Funded Community Based Projects: A Case Study of Kenya Community Development Foundation Projects In Kibera Slums

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the implementation of donor funded Community-Based Programmes (CBP). The study focussed on the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) projects that were being carried out in Kibera Slums, Nairobi County. The objectives of the study were to examine the M&E approaches used by KCDF; assess the effects of KCDF’s M&E approaches; describe the constraints encountered by KCDF in using M&E approaches, and establish the intervention measures that would enhance effectiveness of M&E. A descriptive research design was adopted and the target population was KCDF staff, KCDF’s managers/directors, Chairpersons of KCDF’s implementing partners (CBOs), and staff of the CBOs. The sample size was 68 respondents. Questionnaires, interview guide, and FGDs were used to collect primary data which was analysed using SPSS (version 23.0) and presented in form of frequency tables, charts and graphs. From the study findings, more than half (60.0%) of the respondents agreed that M&E approaches used by KCDF were generally effective in implementing its projects. Further findings indicated that 73.3% of the respondents agreed that M&E provided effective means to measure progress of KCDF projects, 60% agreed that M&E ensured that fundamental questions were asked, 68.8% agreed that M&E ensured that engagement of all stakeholders in project implementation, among other effects. Constraints faced by KCDF in embracing M&E included staff capacity/turn over at 34.4%, inadequate skilled personnel at 34.4%, unexpected disruptions during the implementation process of projects 28.1%, financial constraints at 18.8%, meeting deadlines at 15.6%, among others. The study recommended that donor-funded organizations should ensure effective trainings of their staff on M&E and adequate allocation of funds for M&E activities.