Effects of Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting on the Performance of Infrastructure Projects in Nakuru County, Kenya: The Moderating Role of Government Policies
Main Article Content
Keywords
Monitoring and evaluation, reporting, government policies, infrastructure projects, performance, Nakuru County
Abstract
Infrastructure projects in public hospitals form a pillar of healthcare delivery, driving greater access to quality services in Nakuru County, Kenya. Yet, delays, cost overruns, and substandard work persist. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) reporting is a key mechanism for tracking progress and ensuring accountability however, many public hospitals in the county lack comprehensive M&E frameworks. This gap leads to inconsistent and ineffective performance assessment and consequently, project outcomes often fall short of expectations. Although government policies are meant to strengthen project oversight, their inconsistent enforcement often diminishes the utility of M&E findings. This study examines this relationship by investigating how government policies moderate the effects of M&E reporting on the performance of infrastructure projects in public hospitals in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the Theory of Change and employed an explanatory research design. From a population of 1,104 stakeholders in hospital infrastructure projects, a sample of 294 was drawn using Yamane’s (1967) formula at 95% confidence. Stratified and simple random sampling guided respondent selection, while structured questionnaires provided primary data. The pilot study was undertaken to test the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 was used to do the analysis on the data that was obtained. In addition to this, a correlation, regression, ANOVA, and model summary was produced. Tables and figures were used to present the results. Monitoring and evaluation reporting recorded the highest mean value (M=4.21) and demonstrated the strongest correlation with performance (r=0.738, p<0.01). Regression results (β=0.367, p<0.05) and moderated regression (β=0.415) confirmed its critical role in enhancing accountability and project success. M&E reporting significantly improves the performance of hospital infrastructure projects, especially when supported by enabling government policies. Public hospitals should institutionalize standardized and participatory M&E reporting systems integrated with decision-making frameworks.
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