Effect of community participation on performance of major dam projects in Kenya

Abstract

Globally, major dam projects are intended to offer significant benefits to the local communities where they are constructed. Evaluations over the years have shown that in the development of major dam projects, it is essential to consider potential social and environmental impacts, such as displacement of communities, alteration of ecosystems, and potential conflicts over water resources. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of community participation on the performance of major dam projects in Kenya. Using a sample size of 221 respondents comprising officials from government ministries and statutory bodies, water service providers, consultant engineers, representatives from donor agencies, and persons living around ongoing dam projects, the study employed questionnaires to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise data through frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while inferential statistics were computed to determine relationships between the variables. From the descriptive statistics, there was an equal split between those who agreed and those who did not agree that local community members were involved in major dam construction projects. From interviews, on the other hand, most respondents argued that there was no inclusivity and informed consent in project needs assessment, project negotiations, and compensation agreements since the local political leaders hijacked the process for their own selfish ends. The study showed that community participation has a significant positive influence on the performance of major dam projects in Kenya and concluded that the inclusion of objective key stakeholders and representatives of local community members in all phases of dam construction projects could significantly enhance the performance of the projects in the country. The study thus recommends that objective key stakeholders and representatives of the local community be allowed to participate in all phases of dam construction projects so as to enable locals to collectively own and appreciate the social-economic values of dam projects in their locality. Keywords: Dam projects, community participation, Kenya, social-economic impact, stakeholder engagement