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Stakeholder Participation and the Sustainability of Community-Based Water Borehole Projects in Mavoko Constituency, Machakos County, Kenya
Ruth Sonia Machuma
Abstract
Stakeholder participation is crucial for the success of sustainable development policies and community-based projects. This study assessed the impact of stakeholder participation on the sustainability of water borehole projects in Mavoko Constituency, where many initiatives faced challenges once international donor funding ended. Specifically, the research examined the effects of social inclusion, the significance of stakeholder engagement, and the relationship between planning and the sustainability of community-based water projects in Mavoko Constituency, Machakos County. Guided by resource dependence theory, the study employed a descriptive survey design. To select questionnaire respondents, a systematic random sampling procedure was utilized. The research targeted 1,230 individuals involved in 20 community-based water projects and selected a sample of 302 respondents using Taro Yamane’s formula. Data collection tools included questionnaires, with data analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 for both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics provided frequency and percentage summaries, while inferential statistics, including binomial logistic regression and correlation analysis, explored the relationships between stakeholder participation and project sustainability. The findings revealed that enhanced social inclusion increased the likelihood of project sustainability by approximately 5.6 times, stakeholder engagement improved sustainability odds by nearly 4.8 times, and effective planning contributed to a 3.6-fold increase in the likelihood of achieving high sustainability levels. These results underscore the need for a more strategic approach to stakeholder participation for practitioners and policymakers. The study concludes that social inclusion, stakeholder engagement, and planning each have a statistically significant positive impact on the sustainability of community-based water projects. To further enhance sustainability, the study recommends integrating comprehensive social inclusion strategies to ensure equal participation opportunities for all community segments, including women and youth. Additionally, strengthening stakeholder engagement by securing consistent financial and material support and improving resource management practices is crucial. Regular training and knowledge-sharing initiatives should also be implemented to build stakeholder capacity and create a supportive environment for successful project implementation. These findings are significant as they offer actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners, emphasizing the critical role of strategic stakeholder participation in enhancing the sustainability of community-based water projects.
