Critical success factors and implementation of public private partnership projects in the energy sector in Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of critical success factors on the implementation of public private partnership projects in the energy sector in Kenya. Public Private Partnership projects have been critical for a steady and speedy economic transformation across the globe including in the developing world. Kenya has also not been an exception to PPP projects. This framework has seen tremendous growth in Kenya’s infrastructure in sectors such as water, agriculture, energy and transport. The implementation of these projects, however, has not been realized as evidenced by increased cases of project stagnation and slow rate of incompletion. This raises the question on whether critical success factors in project management have been adequately employed in these projects, hence the subject of the study. The study specifically sought to assess the effect of project financing on project implementation, the influence of project risk management on project implementation, the influence of project leadership on project implementation and the effect of project information technology on the implementation of PPP projects. The study was informed by three major theories which are contingency theory of leadership, resource dependence theory, and Frank Knight’s theory of project risk management. The target population for this study are Eldosol and Garissa solar power projects. Key project personnel include project managers and supervisors were the units of observation for the study. The study purposively sampled 40 respondents drawn from the two projects. A structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument for the research data collection. This was administered through online platforms. The collected data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software. The findings from the study revealed that project financing through adequate budgeting, enhancing accountability and ensuring timely disbursements positively influenced the implementation of the PPP projects. Project risk management through analysis and identification of the risks and employing risk control measures was also found to influence project implementation. The findings revealed that project leadership and adoption of information technology are critical success factors that positively and significantly influence project implementation. The study concludes that project financing, project risk management, project leadership and information technology are critical aspects that influence the implementation of public private partnership projects in the energy sector in Kenya.