Project Planning and Management, and Product Evaluation: An Investigation into the Impact of the Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya

Project planning and management and product evaluation are essential in the planning, delivery and successful completion of a project. This includes cost-benefit and environmental analysis, risk management and sustainability of the programme. Managers have a responsibility to ensure that projects are accomplished and achieve the intended goals in tandem with project management principles and in order to ensure the effective use of money allocated to the projects, effective monitoring and evaluation, visibility and overall sustainability. This study evaluated the extent to which the anticipated benefits of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya could have achieved the intended goals and the overall impacted. Data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources, majorly from journal articles, newspapers, magazines and other published materials and made use of the Context, Input and Process and Product (CIPP) model. Findings revealed that the initiative of the SGR in improving the infrastructural development and connectivity in Kenya and among the participating East African countries was severely beset by numerous intractable problems. Besides, there were serious concerns about the procurement of goods and services, cost-effectiveness, the role of stakeholders and the sustainability of the SGR for both Kenya and host countries. Conversely, the legacy and sustainability of the SGR alongside the social economic potential and environmental factors such as Kenya's high debt to China may not be as congruent with its overall value and long-term future. The study recommends that mega projects, especially in low-and middle-income countries such as Kenya require careful identification, planning, analysis and development in terms of quality, costs, viability and sustainability.