Community Participation and the Performance of Gender-Based Empowerment Projects in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi City County, Kenya

This study examined the influence of community participation on the performance of gender-based empowerment projects in Mathare Constituency, Nairobi City County, Kenya. Anchored on Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation (1969) and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1986), the research employed a convergent parallel design that integrated both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population comprised 6,400 beneficiaries drawn from seven Community-Based Organizations, with a sample of 376 respondents selected through stratified random sampling, while key informants were purposively chosen. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Reliability and validity of the instruments were confirmed, with Cronbach’s Alpha values exceeding 0.7. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS Version 30, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The study attained a 90.2% response rate (n = 339) and completed six of seven key informant interviews. Findings revealed that community participation had a statistically significant effect on project performance, as evidenced by volunteerism, active meeting attendance, and feedback integration. However, economic constraints and limited recognition of community input hindered full participation. The study concludes that sustained and inclusive community participation is critical for enhancing the success of gender-based empowerment initiatives in urban informal settlements such as Mathare. Keywords: Community Participation, Performance, Gender-Based Empowerment Projects