Relationship between End Users Involvement and Performance of Economic Stimulus Projects in Kenya: A Case Study of Fish Farming Projects in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.

Abstract

Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), an initiative by the Kenyan Government in 2009 ,to provide impetus for economic recovery, growth and renewed opportunities was launched to encourage expenditure of public funds in the Country through different projects.It was implemented through 2009/2010 budget entitled “Overcoming today’s challenges for a better Kenya tomorrow” at a cost of Ksh 22 Billion (260 million US$). Fish farming was one of the ESP projects at a cost of Ksh 1.12 billion (Ksh 8 million per constituency) which was expected to have maximum benefits in terms of improved livelihood due to increased demand for fish in the world. The purpose of this paper was to determine influence of end users involvement in performance of ESP fish farming projects in Kirinyaga County, Kenya .The study aimed at establishing relationship between end users involvements and performance of projects. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine relationship between initial planning, resource plans, training planning and marketing planning involvements of end users and performance of fishing farming projects. Data was collected using questionnaires, coded and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Correlation to determine relationship between dependent and independent variables was done. The study established that 41.5% of end users did not experience improved livelihood and that 45.5% of end users were not able to meet fish farmers’ basic needs, for example fish food. Out of all the dug ESP fish ponds, only 33.8% were operational; meaning 66.2% had been abandoned by farmers. It was evident that end users were not involved at the initial planning of the projects, as 79% of end users did not have enough information concerning ESP projects. Lack of end users initial project involvement was revealed as one of the major factors that affected performance of the projects, since most of them got in to it without understanding its anticipated direction. Respondents,(73.6%) agreed that resources including fingerings, feeds, liners, fertilizers, lime and trainings were provided, but described as inadequate for the intended pilot period of six months. It was also evident that that respondents did not understand the market state of the fish/fish products. The study concludes that user involvement in all processes of economic stimulus projects in Kirinyaga County is key to its success.