The Role of Monitoring and Evaluation in Execution of County Integrated Development Plans by County Governments in Kenya

Author: James Kamau Waribu, Karanja Kabare and Maurice M. Sakwa

Date: 2025

Abstract: This study sought to identify the Role of Monitoring and Evaluation in Execution of County Integrated Development Plans by County Governments in Kenya. The target population of the study was government officers from five counties which was 10% of forty-seven counties who comprised of 5 County Secretaries, 5 Heads of Monitoring and Evaluation, 5 Chairs of Public Accounts Committees and 5 Clerks of the County Assemblies. Others are 48 Chief Officers and 55 Directors. The target population was 123 participants and sample size were 92. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. Data analysis and interpretation was based on descriptive statistics and inferential statistics namely, Pearson correlation and Analysis of Variance. In addition, a multiple regression model was used to explore the relationship between the variables. The study adopted the multiple regression to assess the effects of the moderating variable (Policy framework) whose findings indicates that a 6.2 % change in variation after introduction of the moderator variable was realized. The effect of the moderator on the relationship between the independent variables (Monitoring and evaluation, Strategic direction, Organization structure, Innovation, Organization culture, Communication) and dependent variable (Execution) is statistically significant (F (7, 55) = 9.544, p-value = 0.000). Envisioning role was found to positively influence the execution of CIDPs. Institutionalization had a positive influence on execution of CIDPs. Innovation role in the execution of CIDPs was significant. Monitoring and evaluation role in the execution of CIDPs had a significant relationship with execution. The study concluded that monitoring and evaluation was found to be a key component for successful execution of county integrated development plans. The coefficient of determination indicated that a third of the variation in the response to execution of county integrated development plans was explained by monitoring and evaluation. Counties should take monitoring and evaluation as one of the key drivers in the execution of county integrated development plans. County will be able to monitor and evaluate the impact their projects are impacting on the ground and they will be able to account to different government agencies and the public at large. The researcher recommended that Monitoring and evaluation should be taken as a key activity for the counties by having qualified staff and resources allocated to the department. This would ensure that all projects being executed are monitored and evaluated and therefore money being misused will be a thing of the past since there will be staff assigned and they are held accountable should funds be deviated from the intended projects. Also monitoring and evaluation staff should be independent of the executive for them to work without fear of intimidation from the executive.

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