ROLE OF PROJECT FUNDING, PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AND MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS IN KENYA

Abstract

Roads are major national assets that are central to the economic growth and development of all countries.
There is compelling evidence to support the case for roads preservation through timely and effective
maintenance. Kenyan roads have been noted to lack routine maintenance, a situation that adversely affects the transportation
of goods and services across the country. There is in place established road funds in the country
but revenues are still insufficient to cover the high need. The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) continues to seek ways
and means by which the existing backlog of periodic maintenance and rehabilitation can be tackled to bring the
entire road network into maintainable condition. Although systems have been put in place including policies
guiding procurement procedures, timely disbursement of the collected funds and periodic evaluation of road
maintenance projects by external evaluators, roads still lack adequate maintenance to sustain the required
standards. This has resulted in roads across the country sliding back to their pre-improvement status which in
turn has a negative impact on national development. This paper examines the role of critical success factors
namely: project funding, procurement procedures and monitoring and evaluation on road maintenance projects
implementation in Kenya.