Effect of Stakeholder Engagement Practices on Project Performance of the Integrated Housing Projects in Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the effect of stakeholder engagement practices on the performance of the Integrated Housing Project implemented by Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFHK) in Laikipia County, Kenya. A descriptive case study design was adopted, targeting 128 respondents comprising HFHK project staff, community beneficiaries, and local government representatives. Structured questionnaires were administered and data analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. Both descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation and simple linear regression analysis, were employed alongside diagnostic tests for normality, multicollinearity, linearity, and homoscedasticity. Stakeholder engagement practices had a positive and statistically significant effect on project performance (β = 0.523, p < 0.05), with stakeholder engagement explaining 27.4% of the variance in project performance (R² = 0.274). Descriptive analysis (Mean = 3.88, SD = 0.83) confirmed that community participation, feedback integration, and local partnerships were actively practised, though perceptions varied across respondent categories. The regression model was statistically significant (F = 36.789, p < 0.05). Development organizations should institutionalize structured stakeholder engagement mechanisms across all project phases. Meaningful participation beyond tokenistic consultation enhances project ownership, accountability, quality, timeliness, and beneficiary satisfaction. This study contributes localized empirical evidence on stakeholder engagement in NGO-led integrated housing projects in rural Kenya, an underexplored context in project management literature