Stakeholder Involvement and the Performance of Selected Road Projects in Machakos County

Project performance is a key determinant of a project's success and is evaluated based on its completion time, quality standards, and achievement of set goals and objectives. This study examined the influence of stakeholder involvement on the performance of selected road projects in Machakos County, Kenya, and was anchored on Stakeholder Theory. It employed a descriptive-correlational research design to collect and analyze data, targeting 1,400 individuals involved in 23 ongoing road projects across nine sub-counties, including contractors, project managers, engineers, and local leaders. Stratified, proportionate, and simple random sampling techniques were used, with Yamane’s formula yielding a sample size of 311. Data collection utilized structured, closed-ended questionnaires on a five-point Likert scale. A pilot study on two projects ensured reliability and validity. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25, with descriptive and inferential statistics applied. The study achieved a response rate of 77.2% (240 respondents). Although a positive relationship between stakeholder involvement and project performance was observed (Beta = 0.586), the relationship was not statistically significant at the 5% level (p = 0.059; F = 1.564). The model explained 58.6% of the variance in performance (R² = 0.586), with the regression equation Y = 3.361 + 0.375X₁ + ε. Consequently, the study failed to reject the null hypothesis, concluding that stakeholder involvement does not significantly influence road project performance in Machakos County. It recommends that project managers and county governments improve stakeholder involvement through monitoring, collaboration, and inclusive decision-making. Policymakers should establish legal frameworks to institutionalize participation and enhance accountability. Theoretically, the findings suggest a need to revisit existing models and explore factors like leadership and resource availability that may influence the stakeholder-performance relationship.