Effect of Communication Strategies on Project Implementation as Perceived by Staff of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

Effective communication is crucial for the successful implementation of any project, including infrastructure projects. Projects are complex endeavors that involve various stakeholders, resources, and timelines. Without clear and efficient communication strategies, even the most well-conceived projects can face challenges, delays, and even failure. The objective of the study was to assess the influence of communication strategies on project implementation as perceived by staff of Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The research utilized the theoretical frameworks of project management, implementation theory, and relational theory. The study employed an explanatory research design to explore the relationships between communication strategies and project implementation effectiveness. The target population for this research comprised 122 staff members of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) working in various departments and involved in project implementation activities. To obtain a representative sample, a simple random sampling technique was employed, resulting in a sample size of 94 respondents. The primary instrument employed for data collection was a questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Descriptive statistics such as means, percentages, and standard deviations were utilized to summarize and present the key findings related to the staff's perceptions of communication strategies. To explore the relationships between communication strategies and project implementation effectiveness, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the degree of linear association between the variables. Additionally, regression analysis (R2) was conducted to identify any potential predictive relationships between specific communication strategies and project outcomes. Communication strategies had a positive and significant influence on project implementation (β =0.182; p<0.01). The study concludes that communication strategies had a significant influence on project implementation. Consequently, this study recommends that Kenya Rural Roads Authority needs to include communication aspects as part of their long-term corporate strategy.