Abstract:
Communication plays a pivotal role in enhancing road project implementation.
Consequently, successful project planning and implementation is determined by robust,
effective, and efficient project management, leveraging on both physical and human
resources. The ability of management to direct work to the goal of a project can be
determined through several factors. The general objective of the study was to establish
the influence of communication on project implementation as perceived by staff of
Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The specific
objectives of the study were to assess the influence of communication flows,
communication strategies and communication channels on project implementation. The
study employed the theory of project management, implementation theory and
relational theory. An explanatory research design was adopted. The target population
for the study was 122 KeRRA staff selected from various departments. Simple random
sampling technique was used to pick a sample size of 94 respondents. A Questionnaire
was the main data collection instrument. Data was analyzed using descriptive and
inferential statistics. Descriptive data were analyzed using means, percentages, and
standard deviations, while inferential data were analyzed using Pearson’s product-
moment correlation (r) and regression analysis (R 2 ). The study findings indicate that
communication flows had a positive and significant influence on project
implementation (β=0.329; p< 0.01). Communication strategies had a positive and
significant influence on project implementation (β =0.182; p<0.01), and lastly
communication channels had a positive and significant influence on project
implementation (β=0.163; p<0.01). The study concludes that communication flows,
communication strategies and communication channels had a significant influence on
project implementation. Consequently, this study recommends that Kenya Rural Roads
Authority needs to include communication aspects as part of their long-term corporate
strategy. Project managers should integrate appropriate communication flows,
communication strategies and communication channels in their management
responsibilities. The study further, recommends future studies to widen the scope of
variables of communication in public and private institutions.
