POST- AWARD CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF KENYA NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY PROJECTS IN KENYA
Keywords:
Post-Award Contract Management, Project Performance, Communication and Information Flow, Compliance Management, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)Abstract
Road construction projects in Kenya have been getting sustainability warnings owing to poor quality standards, frequent delays, and persistent cost overruns. These challenges have been largely attributed to weak post-award contract management practices, including insufficient risk control, poor communication, limited stakeholder involvement, and non-compliance with contractual and regulatory frameworks. Despite growing attention on procurement processes, the post-award phase which is crucial to actual project delivery remains understudied in Kenya's public infrastructure sector. This study examined the influence of post-award contract management on the performance of Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) projects, with specific focus on communication and information flow and compliance management. The research adopted a cross-sectional survey design, targeting 543 KeNHA staff members directly involved in project implementation. A sample of 230 respondents was selected using the Yamane formula and purposive sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, and analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 23. Both descriptive statistics and inferential methods such as Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were employed to test hypotheses and relationships. Findings revealed that each of the post-award contract management dimensions had a statistically significant positive influence on project performance. Strong communication mechanisms improved coordination and problem resolution. The study concludes that improving post-award contract management is critical to enhancing the performance of KeNHA road infrastructure projects. It recommends the institutionalization of post-award performance tracking systems, stakeholder inclusion frameworks, and continuous compliance audits. These measures will contribute to more efficient project delivery, reduced wastage of public funds, and improved road infrastructure outcomes. The findings provide empirical support for policy reforms aimed at strengthening contract execution in Kenya's public sector.
Key Words: Post-Award Contract Management, Project Performance, Communication and Information Flow, Compliance Management, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)
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