Sustainability of Community Based Projects in Developing Countries: A Study of Sustainability Issues facing Community Based Projects in Rural Areas of Mbeere District in Kenya

Attainment of sustainability is not an endeavor of a single day, but a life long process. This study sought to examine the major issues facing the sustainability of Community Based Projects in developing countries with reference to Kenya. The study employed survey research design. The sample was selected from four main Community-Based-Projects, which appeared to be unstable. The sample consisted of thirty six Project Steering Committee members and fifty six Community Projects Members. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study established that the major issues facing CBPs included project management processes,local and team leadership and financing issues. This study recommends an adoption of more radical approaches in handling the theme of sustainability of CBPs: new project sustainability models built on intrinsic sense of duty attained through individual and organizational based processes. This study is therefore, expected to arouse new interest among scholars, development practitioners and students of research about re-mapping the traditionally established paths of attaining project sustainability in developing countries.

Wanjohi holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Madras University, India) and postgraduate diplomas in Education and Project planning and Management (both at The Catholic University of Eastern Africa - CUEA). He is the Director of Research with Kenya Projects Organization (KENPRO) and an author with Jomo Kenyatta Foundation in Kenya.