International Journal of Research in Social Sciences

Project sustainability is one of the most critical challenges for all grassroots, national and international development agencies. Many women development projects have been engaged in capacity building initiatives with a view to improving their sustainability. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of capacity building on sustainability of Women Development Projects in Kisumu Central Constituency, Kenya. The study targeted 10 Women Development projects that have benefited from donor funds in Kisumu Central Constituency. Survey and correlation design was used. The study targeted 10 chair persons, 10 Secretaries, 10 Treasurers and 150 beneficiaries of the Women Development Projects in Kisumu Central Constituency. Random sampling technique was used to select 124 respondents from the target population. The study used questionnaire and interview schedules to collect data. The research tested: content validity, face validity and construct validity of the instruments. The reliability of the instrument was tested using Cronbach's alpha and it obtained a reliability coefficient of.85. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The results showed a positive weak correlation between the project sustainability and capacity building(r=.315; p<.05). The model was statistically significant (F (1, 88) =9.714; p<.05). The null hypothesis was rejected. Capacity building therefore had a statistically positive effect on sustainability of Women Development Projects in Kisumu Central Constituency, Kisumu County, Kenya. Capacity building through competency skill development, environment education and training and administrative capacity enhancement are therefore significant for project sustainability.