Masters of Development Studies MDS

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INFLUENCE OF URBANIZATION ON THE SOCIAL WELLBEING OF MAASAI COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY OF KITENGELA MUNICIPALITY, KAJIADO COUNTY
(management university of africa, 2024-11) DAVID AKILIMALI CHIPINDE
Urbanization is a global phenomenon with far-reaching implications for communities worldwide. In the case of the Maasai community in Kitengela Municipality, Kajiado County, Kenya, urbanization presents a complex challenge. As Nairobi expands, changes in land use, population growth, governance, and socioeconomics affect the traditional pastoralist lifestyle of the Maasai. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of urbanization on the social well-being of the Maasai community in Kitengela Municipality, Kajiado County. The study examined four specific objectives: to determine the effects of changing land use, changing tenure systems, population growth, and cultural practices on the social well-being of the Maasai community. The study was anchored on the Ecological Modernization Theory, which provides a framework for understanding how societies balance economic development with environmental and social sustainability. The study employed a descriptive research methodology with a target population of 234,000 persons. Using Fisher's method, a sample size of 384 participants was determined, achieving a 96% response rate. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. The major findings revealed that 94% of respondents reported significant changes in traditional land use patterns, 86% noted increased individual land ownership, 87% indicated increased in-migration, and 88% reported declining traditional language fluency. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between all variables and social well-being (r = 0.65, p = 0.001), while regression analysis showed that all independent variables significantly predicted social well-being (p < 0.05), with the model explaining 72.6% of the variance (R² = 0.726). Based on these findings, the study concluded that changing land use patterns have significantly altered traditional pastoralist practices, increased individual land ownership has transformed communal land management systems, population growth has intensified pressure on available resources, and cultural practices are experiencing substantial transformation due to urbanization. The study recommends establishing participatory land use planning processes, developing policies that protect both individual and communal land rights, implementing sustainable infrastructure development to support population growth, and creating cultural preservation protocols that integrate traditional practices with modern urban life.
DEVOLUTION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PERFORMANCE OF COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROJECTS IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN KWALE COUNTY
(management university of africa, 2024-10) KOMBO JOSEPHAT CHIREMA
The county government was intended to bring government services to the grassroots and, hence, empower the citizens in various ways through various undertakings. Various services, including finances, structures, public participation, and capacities to develop human resources, are envisioned to ensure programs undertaken at local levels are performing as expected and their impacts are felt by society. However, reports and studies have indicated that the expectations are yet to be achieved, and the people are yet to reap these benefits. The initiated community empowerment project has not been meeting expectations, and its impact on community wellbeing is not felt. This study sought to determine the devolution of government services and performance of community empowerment projects in Kwale County and had financial resources, human resource capabilities, public participation and leadership accountability as variable. Descriptive research design was used with a target of 133 community empowerment projects within Kwale County. The variable relationship was determined through regression model. The relationship between public participation, human resource capabilities, financial resources, leadership accountability and the performance of community empowerment projects was determined using regression correlation analysis. In inclusion, addressing funding challenges through diversified sources and improved financial management practices is essential for maximizing the effectiveness of community empowerment efforts in the region. Skilled and knowledgeable personnel drive effective project implementation, enhance community engagement, and contribute to sustainable outcomes. Addressing human resource challenges through targeted investments in training, recruitment, and leadership development is essential for maximizing the impact of empowerment initiatives in the region. Active involvement of community members enhances the relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of projects by fostering ownership, transparency, and innovative problem-solving. Accountable leaders enhance project implementation, foster community trust, and ensure effective resource management. Addressing challenges related to accountability and implementing robust structures for transparency and oversight are essential for maximizing the positive impact of empowerment initiatives in the region. The study recommends that, the county should adopt sound financial management practices, including detailed budgeting, regular financial reporting, and transparent accounting procedures. This helps in tracking expenses, preventing mismanagement, and ensuring that funds are used effectively. All relevant parties including the federal and local governments-should have a well-defined plan in place for how they intend to fund their community empowerment initiatives. This would ensure that the projects are finished in the way required to meet the predetermined objectives. The county should develop strategies to recruit skilled individuals who have relevant experience and expertise. The county should also create supportive work environments and career development opportunities to retain experienced staff and volunteers. Consider providing performance-based incentives, recognition programs, and opportunities for career advancement. The county should conduct awareness campaigns to inform community members about the project’s objectives, benefits, and their roles in the process. Educating the community on the importance of their participation can lead to more active and informed involvement. The county should encourage leaders to model ethical behavior and accountability in all aspects of project management. Ethical leadership fosters a culture of integrity and responsibility among project staff and stakeholders. The county should reward leaders and team members who demonstrate strong accountability and performance to motivate them take ownership of their roles.
PERFORMANCE OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES AND SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A CASE OF CARITAS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME IN HOMA BAY COUNTY, KENYA
(management university of africa, 2024-10) COLLINS OCHIENG OMOLLO
This study examined the performance of poverty alleviation programmers and socio-economic development: a case of Caritas International in Homa Bay County within Kenya. The independent variable under study were youth vocational training, capacity building, livestock and crop development. The study was anchored by the empowerment theory; supported by the human capital theory and the restricted opportunity theory. The study adopted the descriptive study design to describe the social and economic characteristics of the target population. The target population was 1,142 household heads out of which through stratified random sampling, 92 respondents were selected to be part of the study sample. Proportionate sampling was then employed to ensure that the three sub counties under study were proportionately represented in the sample. The data was collected through questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated and pre-tested before the actual data collection. Data analysis was done through the use of Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 29. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated to help in summarizing data to aid in making meaningful conclusions and recommendations. Tables, charts and percentages were used to present the summarized data. The researcher observed research ethics before the actual research, during the actual research and after the research. The findings of this study reveal that a youth vocational training has enabled the youth to gain useful skills which have enabled them to obtain gainful employment; capacity building has equipped households with resources and skills that have led to the attainment of self-reliance; proceeds from livestock production is a source of income used for investment and at the same time reduces food insecurity within households and crop development enhances household nutrition and on the other hand surplus realized from production is a source of income which can be used for investment in education, descent housing and access to better healthcare services. Recommendations from the study are as follows; Capacity building programs should include training on saving culture and financial management to enable households to use the income earned from the sale of farm products prudently and also to use their earnings to scale up their production. The national and county governments should supplement the efforts already made by Caritas in alleviating poverty through crop and livestock development. There is need for providing more resources to the poor households, so that crop and livestock production can be done in a large scale to enable commercialization. There is need to conduct a study on how land fragmentation affects household’s level of production in terms of technical efficiency of agriculture and the sustainability of food production system.
ASSESMENT OF DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ON DISASTER RESILIENCE OF KENYAN COUNTIES: A CASE OF BARINGO COUNTY
(management university of africa, 2024-10) ABDUSHAKUR KHATIB LENDAPANA
Despite all the disaster risk management measures that are in place, disasters have continued to rock Baringo County. This research aimed at assessing effect of disaster risk management systems on disaster risk resilience of Kenyan counties, using Baringo County as case. Specifically, the study aimed at; to determine the effects of disaster risk awareness on disaster risk resilience in Baringo County, to examine the effects of disaster risk governance on disaster risk resilience in Baringo County, to assess the effects of risk reduction measures on disaster risk resilience in Baringo County and to examine the effect of disaster preparedness measures on disaster risk resilience in Baringo County. System Theory, Institutional Theory and Stakeholder Theory was used as the theoretical framework underpinning the study and employed a cross-sectional case study method. A total of 405 officers were targeted who work in sectors with responsibility in disaster risk management within Baringo County comprising of Directorate of DRM, department of Agriculture and Livestock, Water, Health and Nutrition, Fire, Security and peace building and NGOs/Development partners implementing Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives at the county level. A stratified random sampling was used to get the research subjects. Data collection was done using structured questionnaire. The quantitative data collected was analyzed quantitatively by use of descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS software version 27. A multiple regression model was applied to demonstrate the association between the independent variables and the dependent variable of disaster risk resilience, and the results was presented in tables, charts and bars. Overall, the study findings showed that there exists a strong positive relation between the independent and the dependent variables as shown by R = 0.799 and R2 = 0.638 this means that 64% of variation in disaster risk resilience is explained by changes in all the independent variables. The level of significance was <0.000 thus the overall regression model significantly predicted the dependent variables. the findings also showed that disaster preparedness measures were the predictor that most effects disaster risk resilience in Baringo County with Unstandardized coefficient (β) value of .479 followed by disaster risk reduction measure with β of .205. Disaster risk awareness was the least significant determinant of disaster risk resilience in Baringo County with Unstandardized coefficient β of .047. This study recommends that Baringo County government and its partners need to continue strengthening investment in all four independent variables as evident has shown they play complimentary role in addressing disaster risk resilience.