Stakeholder Engagement Conflicts And Implementation Of Expansion And Modernisation Projects At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport In Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT

World air traffic is expected to grow substantially in the next decade and beyond. Associated with this are accelerated programs to build new airports and expand existing ones. Currently, there are numerous expansion projects taking place at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (J.K.I.A). The implementation of these projects involves the struggle to achieve project objectives and at the same time meeting the expectations of various stakeholders without compromising the outcome of the project. Their participation in a project right from initiation to closure is crucial to its success as the interests of the different stakeholders can be captured and built into the finalized scheme. However this does not automatically yield a mutually acceptable solution especially when the interests of stakeholders are diverse and conflicting. The basic precept of project management is that project stakeholder management can increase the success rate of projects by influencing stakeholders. This report sought to examine stakeholder conflicts and its effects on the performance of expansion projects taking place at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The study assessed the role of the following conflicts on the implementation of projects at the airport; role related conflicts, process related conflicts, relationship conflicts and interdependence conflicts. Objectives of the report were to determine the effect of stakeholder conflicts on the implementation of expansion and modernization projects at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The performance of projects was conducted from the parameters of cost, quality and timelines of completion of projects. The study used descriptive design and the study population was drawn from Kenya Airports Authority who is the airport owner, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority who is the regulatory body, Airlines and Handling Agents and Service facilitators. Sampling techniques included the use of stratified sampling to select a sample of 114 respondents from a population of 135 employees within these institutions. Questionnaires were used to collect data using drop and pick method as well as email. Data was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and regression analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences software to ascertain the effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Data was presented using table charts and written discussion. The report established that project implementation and expansion at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are negatively influenced by stakeholders engaged conflict. The study found out that there was a significant but negative influence of conflicts on the implementation of projects with conflicts accounting for seventy three point six percent (73.6%) of variations in project implementation. The report recommended that stakeholder participation in all aspects of project implementation should be anchored in law, policies and performance appraisal of project managers to forestall uncertainties and complaints from stakeholders in projects.