ABSTRACT
Slum upgrading projects have in existence in Kenya since 2000. Their aim is to improve the living standards of the slum residents. However, the level of poverty continues to increase in the slums. The project success of the slum upgrading projects is questioned because the number of people living in the slums is increasing. Experts’ development studies suggest that for project to be successful, participatory project management should be embraced. Despite the government of Kenya advocating for citizen participation in community development projects, the slum upgrading projects are not meeting their intended objectives. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish how participatory project management influences thesuccessslum upgrading projects in Korogocho informal settlements. The specific objectives of the study were to establish how participation at different stages of project life cycle- identification, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation influence the success of the slum upgrading projects.The study was guided by the theory of change. The study was conducted in Korogocho informal settlementsin NairobiCounty. The participants were selected through cluster sampling and simple random sampling. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research. The research design is descriptive study.Data analysis was done by use of the regression model and SPSS software. Informationwas presented inform of tables graphs and narratives. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze, present, and interpret data. The result shows that participatory project management leads to the success of the slum upgrading projects. The findings show that increase in participation in the following stages of project management: project identification, project planning and project implementation increases chances of success of slum upgrading projects.There was participation in project identification stage although basing on the mean scores more participation is needed. Community members were involved in project implementation. However, basing on mean scores, more inclusion is essential to ensure success of SUPs. Participation in project implementation stage was noted. However, increase in participation in this stage would lead to increase in success of the slum upgrading projects. However, from the regression model the PPME coefficients were negative hence implicating that increase in participation at this level would decrease chance of success. Therefore, the study recommends that community members should take an active role in all of the projects being carried out in the informal settlement. More participation in project identification, project planning and project implementation should be encouraged. However, minimal participation in monitoring and evaluation should be encouraged. Further study should be done to on the same topic but with inclusion of other variables.