Assessment of the Use of Monitoring and Evaluation System by Kenya Trade Network Agency in Cargo Documentation in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The responsibility of Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) is to simplify cross-border trade and execute the National Electronic Single Window System. The agency is tasked to facilitate cargo clearance and documentation. Even with the establishment of this system, traders still experience delays and downtimes on the system. This greatly contributes to unforeseen extra demurrage charges, driving up the cost of business. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness M&E system of the of KenTrade in cargo clearance at the port of entry in Kenya. The target population was 86 staff of KenTrade. Census sampling technique was employed to arrive at a sample of 86 respondents. The study used structured questionnaires to collect data, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 aided the analysis of the data. The findings, as per 70.5% of the respondents, showed that the M&E system was not effectively used. Only

29.5% of the respondents reported that the system was effectively used. Further, 64.1% of the respondents reported that there were benefits of using the system in cargo documentation, while 35.9% indicated that they had not seen any benefits. Unavailability of data was cited as the most significant challenge for the M&E system in cargo documentation (91.0%), followed by poor feedback (71.8%). Respondents recommended an increase in capacity (43.5%), coordination between sub-systems 17(21.7%), consensus-building between stakeholders (10.2%), benchmarking visits (12.8%), and frequent trainings (11.5%). The researcher recommends increased capacity development of M&E personnel, enhanced coordination, cooperation between KenTrade M&E sub-systems, consensus-building between key stakeholders, training for the users, and benchmarking visits.