EVALUATOR CAPACITY AND PERFORMANCE OF HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN KENYA

Objective: The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of evaluator capacity on performance of highway construction projects in Kenya. Theoretical Framework: This study was anchored on Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) theory. It explains that the effectiveness of an evaluation depends on the evaluator’s ability to engage intended users and tailor the evaluation process to their needs, thereby enhancing the use of findings to improve project performance. Methodology: This research utilized pragmatism research philosophy and correlational design. The target population was 69 Category A road construction projects that have been completed by KeNHA for the period between 2018 and 2022. The respondents in these projects were the project managers in all the 69 highway construction projects in Kenya. The study used a census approach and hence all the projects were included in the study. The research adopted both secondary and primary data. While qualitative data was analyzed by of thematic analysis, quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included standard deviation, means, percentages, distribution of frequency. Inferential statistics include simple Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis. Results and Discussion: The study found that evaluator capacity has a positive and significant effect on performance of highway construction projects in Kenya (β1=0.524, p-value=0.000). The study recommends that project managers prioritize selecting qualified evaluators who possess strong academic backgrounds and relevant experience in similar projects. Originality/Value: This study enriches existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the influence of evaluator capacity on the performance of highway construction projects in Kenya. It contributes to the understanding of how evaluator skills, experience, and engagement with stakeholders’ impact project outcomes, offering a foundation for future research and informing policy and practice aimed at strengthening evaluation processes in infrastructure development. Research Implications: The findings contribute to practice by offering valuable insights for project managers, evaluators, and policymakers in Kenya’s infrastructure sector. Enhancing evaluator capacity can lead to more effective project assessments, improved decision-making, and increased accountability, ultimately boosting the performance and success rates of highway construction projects.