Effects of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation on the Sustainability of Economic Stimulus Program in the Kenyan Education Sector: A Case of Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) on the sustainability of economic stimulus programs in the education sector in Nairobi County. The research aims to determine whether stakeholders' involvement in PM&E contributes to the sustainability of these programs, whether their capacity building improves the sustainability of these programs, and whether stakeholders' active particiation through their support of the projects affects the sustainability of these programs. A sample of 132 respondents was selected and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. A response rate of 83% was achieved.The study found that stakeholder involvement, capacity building, and stakeholder ownership significantly impact the sustainability of economic stimulus programs in the education sector. Key indicators of stakeholder involvement included citizen control, partnerships, regular briefs, and stakeholder involvement in project identification and implementation. Capacity building was found to be an intermediate result of PM&E, and it had a relationship with the sustainability of the programs.The study also found that illiteracy in PM&E hindered the participation of stakeholders in the monitoring and evaluation process. However, most respondents did not feel they owned the projects as individuals. The study recommends active participation of key stakeholders in the monitoring and evaluation process to ensure diverse perspectives and insights into program sustainability. The study also suggests conducting similar studies or qualitative research in other sectors to compare findings and improve the sustainability of projects in ESP.