article · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
This study examines how community participation during the implementation phase affects the performance of the Mazingira Bora water, sanitation, and hygiene project in Nairobi's Mukuru informal settlement. Using a mixed-methods design, data was gathered from 400 household heads, four area chiefs, and four project managers through questionnaires and interviews. The findings demonstrate that community engagement during execution has a significant positive influence on overall project performance. Although most local respondents reported being informed, consulted, and actively involved in project activities, challenges regarding communication and exclusion persisted. In particular, the absence of systematic feedback mechanisms meant that being involved did not guarantee that community members were effectively heard. Frequent feedback supported greater local ownership, accountability, and transparency, which directly enhanced project outcomes. Suggested improvements include forming local committees, boosting resource mobilisation, and partnering with educational institutions.
Development initiatives in informal settlements often struggle if local populations are not genuinely included. This research demonstrates that simply consulting residents is insufficient without structured communication and feedback channels. Establishing genuine community participation enhances transparency, fosters local ownership, and substantially improves the delivery and success of essential urban water and sanitation services.
The findings can inform delivery frameworks for urban development agencies, municipal authorities, and non-governmental organisations implementing water and sanitation infrastructure. As an applied empirical study, it provides actionable programme design guidelines, such as creating structured feedback systems and community committees. However, the abstract does not indicate a commercial product, intellectual property, or a direct commercialisation pathway, remaining focused on development programme management.
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This study purposed to establish the influence of community participation at project implementation stage on project performance of Mazingira Bora Wash Project in Mukuru informal settlement, Nairobi City County. The study was anchored on the stakeholders Theory. Convergent parallel design and mixed methods approach were used in the research using a sample size of 400 household heads, 4 areas chiefs and 4 project managers. Census sampling was used to recruit the project managers; purposive sampling technique was used on the area chiefs while Yamane’s scientific formula was used to establish a sampling size of 400 community household heads. Data collection was done using questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Measures of central tendency and dispersion, such as frequency distributions, mean, and standard deviation were computed using SPSS (Version-26) and presented in form of figures, tabulation, graphs and charts, percentages, and frequencies. Narrative thematic analysis was used to find patterns and themes in the qualitative data. Findings indicated that engagement during the implementation phase demonstrated a strong influence (β = .22, p = .004) on project performance, with most respondents reporting being informed, consulted, and actively engaged in implementation activities. Conclusion: Stakeholder engagement during execution strongly influenced performance. Most respondents were consulted and involved, but issues with communication and exclusion were noted. There was also a lack of systematic feedback integration, indicating that being "involved" does not always mean being effectively heard or included. Frequent feedback encouraged community ownership, accountability, and transparency; all of which enhanced results. Recommendations: It was recommended that stakeholders should enhance resource mobilization and transparency; establishment of WASH Committees was suggested; also, enhancing collaboration with educational Institutions for relevant programs development and implementation. Key words: Community Participation; Project Implementation; Project Performance
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DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22116337
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