Influence of Shared Decision-Making on the Development Projects Sustainability in Rural Societies in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma County, Kenya

Shared decision-making is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in ensuring the sustainability of community development projects in rural areas. However, despite its importance, many initiatives continue to be designed and implemented with minimal involvement of local stakeholders, undermining their long-term success. This study explored the influence of shared decision-making on the sustainability of rural community development projects, focusing on Mt. Elgon region in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study aimed to understand how inclusive participation involving community members, leaders, and project implementers contributes to ownership, accountability, and effective alignment of development goals with community needs. The research adopted a descriptive research design and employed a mixed-methods approach. The target population consisted of 3,000 stakeholders in rural development projects, including local leaders, project beneficiaries, government officers, and NGO representatives. A sample size of 341 respondents was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula and selected through purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected via structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis (correlation and regression), while qualitative responses were thematically analyzed and reported narratively to complement the statistical findings. The findings revealed that shared decision-making significantly enhances the sustainability of community development projects. In Mt. Elgon, projects that incorporated inclusive participation experienced higher levels of ownership, reduced resistance, and greater responsiveness to community priorities. Conversely, exclusion of community voices led to challenges such as poor project management, lack of maintenance, and eventual failure. The study demonstrated that sustainability is closely tied to how well local communities are empowered to participate in decision-making processes. The study recommends that development stakeholders institutionalize shared decision-making in rural project planning and execution. This includes organizing inclusive planning forums, employing participatory tools, and ensuring representation of marginalized voices. Capacity-building initiatives should be implemented to equip communities with planning, budgeting, and monitoring skills. Emphasizing shared decision-making is not only a governance imperative but also a practical pathway to sustainable development.