INFLUENCE OF PROJECT MONITORING PRACTICES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ROAD PROJECTS IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Road projects are critical for socio-economic development, connecting communities and facilitating trade. In Kenya, the state of road infrastructure presented significant challenges, with 37.01% of roads in poor condition. This study examined the influence of project monitoring practices on the implementation of road projects in Nakuru County, Kenya. Specifically, it determined the influence of performance monitoring, evaluated the influence of quality monitoring, assessed the influence of stakeholder monitoring, and established the influence of report monitoring on road project implementation. The study was anchored in four theories: the Resource-Based View Theory, the Quality Management Theory, the Stakeholder Theory, and the Communication Theory of Organizational Effectiveness. A correlational research design was employed, targeting 447 stakeholders involved in road project implementation, including senior county officials, ward infrastructure coordinators, road engineers, members of the county assembly, and the public. Using proportionate stratified random sampling, 211 respondents were selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (simple linear regression) in SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive results indicated moderate levels of adherence to performance (M = 3.02, SD = 1.377), quality (M = 2.88, SD = 1.459), and stakeholder (M = 2.79, SD = 1.440) monitoring practices, while report monitoring showed slightly higher consistency (M = 2.62, SD = 1.418). Correlation and regression analyses confirmed that all four practices significantly influenced road project implementation. Performance Monitoring Practices had a moderate positive effect (β = 0.489, r = 0.527, p < 0.001), Quality Monitoring Practices also showed a moderate impact (β = 0.512, r = 0.538, p < 0.001), Stakeholder Monitoring Practices demonstrated a strong effect (β = 0.614, r = 0.600, p < 0.001), and Report Monitoring Practices exhibited the strongest influence (β = 0.892, r = 0.753, p < 0.001). Consequently, all null hypotheses were rejected. The study concludes that structured project monitoring significantly enhances road project implementation in Nakuru County, with reporting practices being the most influential. Policy and practice recommendations include adopting standardized KPIs, implementing regular quality assurance protocols, establishing structured stakeholder engagement frameworks, and using standardized reporting templates supported by digital tools. The findings provide actionable insights for county governments, project managers, and road agencies aiming to improve infrastructure delivery and project sustainability.