Factors influencing performance of Public-Private Partnerships and the role of stakeholder engagement in the education sector in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya’s ambitious Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into a globally competitive, industrialized, middle-income nation. This transformative agenda heavily depends on the efficient functioning of crucial sectors like education, aligning with the study’s focus on understanding and enhancing PPPs in education within Nairobi County. This research aimed to analyze the factors affecting performance of public-private partnerships in the education sector in Nairobi County, Kenya. Specifically, the researcher aimed to analyze the effect of economic factors, regulatory frameworks, social factors and political factors on public-private partnerships in the education sector in Nairobi County, Kenya. This research was steered by the agency theory and stakeholder theory. The research methodology employed cross-sectional survey research. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from a target population consisting of stakeholders involved in public-private partnerships in the education sector in Nairobi County. Based on the Yamane formula, a total of 296 respondents were sampled by use of simple random sampling. The collected data was subjected to a comprehensive data analysis process, where the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27 analysis tool was utilized to scrutinize the quantitative data got from questionnaires, like descriptive statistics (percentages, frequencies, standard deviations and means) and ordinal regression analysis to determine the relationships amongst the dependent and independent variables. The results were presented in figures and tables. The study found that economic, regulatory, social, political factors and stakeholder engagement significantly influence the performance of public-private partnerships in Nairobi County’s education sector. The model demonstrated a strong fit, with high Pseudo R-Square values, emphasizing the importance of these factors in enhancing partnership outcomes. The study concluded that economic, regulatory, social and political factors are pivotal to the success and sustainability of PPPs in Nairobi County’s education sector. A holistic approach integrating these elements enhances project outcomes and addresses educational infrastructure needs effectively. The study recommends that policymakers adopt strategies emphasizing financial viability, regulatory clarity, community involvement and political stability. Strengthening legislative frameworks, fostering stakeholder engagement and incorporating social considerations into PPP planning are crucial for achieving sustainable and impactful outcomes.