THE ROLE OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN POVERTY REDUCTION IN KISUMU EAST SUB-COUNTY OF KISUMU COUNTY KENYA

Abstract

Poverty forces an individual to a state of powerlessness, hopelessness, and lack of self-esteem, confidence, and integrity, leading to a situation of multidimensional vulnerability. Several recent studies indicate an alarming increase of poverty levels in the world especially in the developing countries. In Kenya, poverty levels are high especially in areas which are prone to harsh weather conditions and calamities like floods and prolonged droughts as well as diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Using poverty reduction through different indicators as the basis of analysis, this research set out to investigate if Nongovernmental organizations are the ideal institutions of improving livelihoods especially in the rural areas that can help in achieving Kenya’s vision 2030.The main objective of this research is to examine the role played by the NGOs in poverty reduction and the specific objectives included identification of causes and indicators of poverty, contribution of NGOs in poverty reduction and challenges faced by NGOs in poverty reduction .This research was conducted in Kisumu East sub-county with the sample size of 200 respondents. Survey and descriptive research design were employed. Primary and secondary data collection methods were used. Data was analysed statistically using SPSS version 20.0.Data was analysed and presented graphically. Demographic characteristics were used to explain the causes and indicators of poverty while the roles played by the NGOs were divided into themes ranging from environmental conservation, health and economic development. This research examined the challenges faced by NGOs both internal and external. The internal challenges included inadequate staff, inadequate funds, lack of sustainability of the projects, no priority to the community needs and wants and lack of transparency and accountability, lack mobilization and sensitization. External challenges established included, rejection and lack of interest from the community members, lack of active involvement, poor infrastructures, language barrier, harsh climatic conditions, unachievable government regulations, economic inflations ,high population. This research put forward some of the strategies that can be put in place to address the challenges as; NGOs to carry out sensitization, donors to serve the interests/ priorities of the community members, the government to inject more funds to the local areas for infrastructural developments, NGOs to engage external auditors so as to increase transparency, NGOs come up with multi projects so as a capture the interests of community members. private and public sectors should work together when investing so as to decentralize developments. In conclusion NGOs play a major role on poverty reduction. This research recommends more ppp in issues that deal with poverty reduction.