Project Management Practices And Sustainability Of Dam Construction Projects In Kitui County, Kenya

Background: This study looks into how project management techniques affect the long-term viability of dam construction projects in Kenya's Kitui County. Due to severe water shortages in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), the government and development partners have given dam construction first priority in an effort to improve water security. But a sizable fraction of these initiatives has either stopped or fallen short of longterm viability. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of financing sources, stakeholder involvement, and project planning on the long-term viability of dam building projects in the area. Materials and Methods: In this mixed-methods study combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies, a sample of 269 participants, including project beneficiaries, local leaders, and representatives from pertinent agencies, participated in a cross-sectional survey. Interviews with key informants were also conducted with members of NGOs, water engineers, and government officials. Interview guidelines and structured questionnaires were used to gather data. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis were used to analyze quantitative data, while theme analysis was used to qualitative replies. Results: There is a strong positive relationship between planning practices and sustainability (r=0.722, p=0.000), a strong positive relationship between funding practices and sustainability (r=0.642, p=0.000), and a strong positive relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability (r=0.700, p=0.000). All the relationships are statistically significant (p<0.05). All the project management practices (planning, funding and stakeholder engagement) have a statistically significant relationship with the sustainability of dams’ projects in Kitui County. Conclusion: This study emphasises that good project management is a governance requirement for sustainable growth rather than merely a technical procedure.