Effect of Project Management Strategies on Performance of Road Infrastructure Projects in Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

To “realize any meaningful per capita GDP growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Vision 2030, road infrastructure development plays a pivotal role. Achieving an increase in annual per capita growth by several percentage points is possible if the provision of road infrastructure aligns with that of comparable middle-income countries within the region. Consequently, the adoption of sound project management approaches is considered a key driver of organizational project success. The present study focused on assessing how project management strategies influence the outcomes of road infrastructure initiatives in Migori County. The specific objectives included: examining the effect of the Road Management Information System (RMIS) strategy on road project performance; analyzing the influence of risk management strategies on project delivery; determining the effect of the logical framework strategy on project performance; and investigating how project monitoring and evaluation affect project outcomes. The research was anchored on project management theory, complemented by systems theory as a supporting framework. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised 318 participants, which included engineers, members of constituency road committees, inspection officers, and other stakeholders engaged in road construction projects within Migori County. From this population, a sample of 253 respondents was derived using Yamane’s formula, incorporating 177 participants and an additional 30% (76) to account for potential non-responses. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques were utilized to ensure representativeness. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. To establish content validity, each instrument was subjected to expert review to assess clarity, scope, and relevance. Reliability testing employed the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient through a split-half method, with a threshold of 0.7 indicating acceptable reliability. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, skewness, and diagnostic tests, while multiple regression analysis was applied to test the hypothesized causal relationships. Results were presented in tables and figures for clarity. The findings revealed a strong and statistically significant association between project management strategies and the performance of road infrastructure projects in Migori County. Specifically, project management strategies accounted for 63.8% of the variation in project performance. Based on these results, the study recommended that the county government should prioritize the establishment of an effective road management system, improve communication processes, strengthen resource utilization, and ensure clear reporting mechanisms. Additionally, it emphasized the need for enhancing project performance through comprehensive financial, operational, and environmental risk management practices.”