Assessment of beneficiaries’ perceptions of the post-implementation stages and sustainability of slum upgrading in Nakuru City and Kitale Town, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya has embraced slum upgrading as a development strategy to address increasing urban slum population in order to formalize and integrate slums into the overall urban framework. However, most of the available studies did not address sustainability of the interventions, and disproportionately focused on primary cities compared to secondary cities. This study sought to assess beneficiaries’ perception of the post-implementation and sustainability of the Integrated Urban Housing Project in Nakuru and the Building in Partnership: Participatory Urban Planning project in Kitale. Specifically, the study assessed the level of participation in post-implementation and sustainability; determined the influence of participation in postimplementation on sustainability; and assessed the perception of beneficiaries about impact on the living conditions and livelihoods. The study was anchored on the Theory of Change and Sustainable Livelihood Framework, It adopted a multiple case study research design and targeted 7261 project beneficiaries, Project Manager, 2 County Urban Development Officers, and 193 officials of local community-based organizations. A sample of 392 respondents was selected comprising of 365 beneficiaries, 2 County Urban Development Officers, 1 Project Manager, and 24 officials. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire, key in-depth interview, focus group discussion and field observation. Secondary data from existing relevant documented sources was also collected. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and thematic analysis, respectively. The study found a significant difference in beneficiary participation in the postimplementation stages between the two projects (t {156} = 5.426, p =0.000 for ex-post monitoring and evaluation and t {189} = 3.610, p = 0.000 for ex-post maintenance). There was a significant difference in the level of sustainability of the two projects (t {358} = 2.419, p =0.016). Participation in post-implementation stages significantly influenced sustainability ( 187.807 2,120 F  , p =0.000). There was no significant difference in beneficiary perception of the impact on the living conditions (t {358} = 0.474, p = 0.636). There was a significant difference in beneficiary perception of the impact of the two projects on the livelihoods (t {358} = 7.955, p = 0.000). Based on these key findings, it is concluded that the two projects were sustainable 15 years after completion and that the beneficiaries actively participated in post-implementation stages. The study recommends that local authorities and external agencies should encourage interventions that directly benefits slum dwellers to boost their motivation to participate in the post-implementation stages.