Enhancing Performance of Air Transport in Kenya through Implementation of Appropriate Monitoring and Evaluation Process

This paper focuses on improved Performance of air transport through appropriate implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation Process. It is based on an empirical study carried out in Kenya focusing on the Air Ports in Nairobi County. The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which monitoring and evaluation process influences the performance of Air Transport in Kenya. The Monitoring and Evaluation was measured in terms of Preparation of M& E work plans, Data collection on aviation safety compliance, Data Analysis and Dissemination of M& E results. To validate the findings inferential statistics were used to test the hypothesis that Monitoring and evaluation process has no significant influence on performance of air transport in Kenya. The study was hinged on pragmatism philosophical standpoint, mixed methods of data collection and sequential triangulation strategy. This study adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey and correlational research design. A sample of 224 participants was selected from a target population of 269 who included Directorate of Safety standards and regulation (DASSR) and registered air operators. Data was collected through structured questionnaire, interview guide, observation guide and document analysis. Responses in the questionnaires were processed by use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 programme to analyze the data. Non-parametric data was analyzed descriptively by use of measures of central tendency as the tools of data analysis. Pearson�s Product Moment Correlation analysis (r) was used to establish correlation between variables. The findings of the study reveal that monitoring and evaluation is correlated to performance of air transport as seen from responses where majority of the respondents strongly agreed that adherence to Monitoring and Evaluation plans in aviation improves performance (61.7 %) and the level of satisfaction where operators maintained that they are satisfied with the way Monitoring and evaluation is done in air transport industry (M=2.16, SVD=0.86). In conclusion, analysis revealed that both KCAA and the air operators emphasized that adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans in aviation improve performance and lead to proper analysis of the client�s needs hence boosting performance of air transport. The influence of Monitoring and Evaluation on performance of air transport implies that there is need to invest more resources on Monitoring and Evaluation and sensitize all players in the aviation industry on the appropriate process to enhance performance of air transport. This paper contributes to knowledge on the field of air transport which had not been widely researched previously especially monitoring and evaluation process and performance of air transport.