Factors Influencing the Sustainability of Donor Aided Projects in West Pokot County: A Case of Selected World Vision Health Projects In Sook Division

Abstract

In Africa sustainability of donor aided projects is a big challenge in over 95% of the countries. This study investigated the socio-economic and political factors that determined project sustainability of World Vision International (WVI) donor funded projects in Sook Division of the West Pokot County - Kenya. The research examined why in spite of the resolute efforts by developers, sustainability remained a challenge. This study had the following objectives; to identify strategies adopted by WVI in enhancing project, establish the extent to which social activities had determined project sustainability; ways in which politics had influenced sustainability of donor aided projects and the extent to which technological factors contributed to sustainability of donor aided projects in West Pokot County, Sook Division. The study adopted a descriptive research design using both quantitative (questionnaires) and qualitative (in-depth) approaches. A total of 175 respondents took part with 168 questionnaires among health community workers and beneficiaries of the WVI health projects while the rest were in depth interviews. Data processing was done using statistical package for social science (SPSS-version 22). Findings show that WVI had employed several strategies to engage the community including, rescue centers, involvement of the community through workshops, regular sensitization, and periodic reporting. Additionally, cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and indulgence in local brew made the community resistant to engage. The study recommends complete participation of all stakeholders, respect for community structures and political stability as major drivers of sustainability of such donor aided projects.