Community Stakeholder Engagement and Operational Sustainability of Kenya Equity in Education Project in Turkana County

Operational sustainability of education initiatives in under-resourced and crisis-affected contexts depends heavily on meaningful community stakeholder engagement. This study examined the influence of community stakeholder engagement during project execution on the operational sustainability of the Kenya Equity in Education Project (KEEP) in Turkana County. Grounded in the Ladder Theory of Participation and Stakeholder Theory, the research employed a descriptive design. The sample population comprised 194 respondents, drawn using stratified and simple random sampling techniques to ensure representativeness across key stakeholder groups. Specifically, 11 project staff, 26 teachers, and 154 parents were selected through this approach. In addition, purposive sampling was employed to select three key informants, namely, the Project Manager, the KEEP Education Officer, and the Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association, to provide specialised insights into project implementation and sustainability. Data were collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Questionnaires were administered to parents, teachers, and project staff; Focus Group Discussions were conducted with illiterate parents; and interviews with key informants were conducted. Findings show that while 63.3% of community members contributed labour and 31.6% participated in management committees and received training, there was no community contribution of materials or funds due to widespread poverty. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong, significant relationship between community stakeholder engagement in project implementation and operational sustainability (r = 0.641; p = 0.000). However, the project's full reliance on donor funding resulted in limited financial and technical sustainability after project completion, as key activities such as scholarships, remedial classes, and facility construction ceased. Managerial sustainability persisted, as trained committees continued to manage existing facilities. The study recommends making community representation in project management and local resource contributions mandatory funding requirements. It also calls for actively involving community members in project planning, building their capacity in resource mobilisation and management, and adopting participatory approaches throughout project implementation to ensure long-term operational sustainability.