EFFECT OF RESOURCES ON PROVISION OF HUMANITARIAN SERVICES BY NGOS IN TURKANA, KENYA

EFFECT OF RESOURCES ON PROVISION OF HUMANITARIAN SERVICES BY NGOS IN TURKANA, KENYA

Patrick Napion Ewoton
Master Degree in Public Administration and Policy Formulation of Turkana University College, Kenya

Prof. George Muthaa
Lecturer, Turkana University College, Kenya

Prof. Tom Nyamache
Lecturer, Turkana University College, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Non-Governmental organizations are initiated to support provision of humanitarian services. Turkana County is among the semi-arid regions of Kenya with the provision of humanitarian needs which has attracted many Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) over the years. Despite the NGOs implementing community development initiatives in Turkana, the area still experiences persistent dire need of humanitarian services. These needs are attributed to various factors that affect their operations and sustainability of programmes. There is, however, lack of empirical data to substantiate these socio-economic factors specifically in Turkana County. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of resources on provision of humanitarian services by NGOs in Turkana, Kenya. Correlation research design was used in this study in order to attain the study objectives. The Correlation research design makes it possible to concurrently measure a large number of variables and their interrelationships. The population of the study was subject to two Sub Counties, that is, Turkana Central (Lodwar town) with a population of 185,305 and Turkana West (Kakuma) with a population of 239,627 totaling to 424,932. A sample of 384 was selected and participants were picked using stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. To ensure content validity the questionnaire was checked by the supervisors who are experts in research. To ensure reliability Cronbach Alpha technique was used to assess the consistency of data. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis was used. Descriptive statistics was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, tables, percentages and figures to summarize data. For qualitative data, content analysis was used where data was organized in common themes. Inferential data analysis was done by the use of regression model to determine the strength of the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable. The research findings show that resources affect the provision of humanitarian services by non-governmental organizations in Turkana, Kenya positively and significantly (β=0.399, p-value=0.001<0.05). From the findings, the research concluded that resources are key in the provision of humanitarian services. Both monitory and manpower resources are needed coupled with well-functioning infrastructure in order to address the needs of the Turkana residents. Financing has been the hindrance to most of the NGOs in attending to emergencies and further hinders the NGOs in recruiting and maintaining manpower needed to enhance the provision of humanitarian services. From the findings, the study recommends that humanitarian organizations should attract more funding in order to widely and effectively engage in uplifting the Turkana dwellers. The availability of sufficient funds is essential because it will enable humanitarian organizations effectively service delivery to the affected communities. The study was beneficial to the following stakeholders; policy makers, community and future researchers among others.

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OPTIMIZING EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN ILLERET WARD, MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA

OPTIMIZING EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN ILLERET WARD, MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA

Joy Igoki Njiru
A Doctor of Philosophy in Early Childhood Education student at the University of Nairobi

Professor Paul Odundo
Department of education, Early Childhood Education, University of Nairobi

ABSTRACT

In Kenya, particularly in arid areas, early child nutrition has remained a challenge especially in Marsabit County. Illeret ward, one of the administrative units of Marsabit County has reported the highest incidences of malnourishment especially in children classified in the early childhood status. This raise concerns on the role played by caregivers and parents in this County to optimize early childhood nutrition and the same has remained unclear and unexplored. Thus, this study sought to establish the effect of food diversity, nutrient dense foods, healthful eating and adequate hydration on early childhood nutrition as a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers in Illeret Ward, Marsabit County, Kenya. Descriptive survey design was adopted targeting 900 mothers with children aged 1-8 from Illeret Ward, Marsabit County. Stratified random sampling was used to select 269 respondents with their respective gender as strata. Information in its primary form was gathered guided by questionnaire and the analysis was through SPSS guided by means correlation and regression and tables guided presentation. It was noted that nutrient dense foods (β=0.439) had the greatest positive effect on early childhood nutrition as a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers in Illeret Ward, Marsabit County, Kenya then followed by food diversity (β=0.322), adequate hydration (β=0.198) and healthful eating (β=0.185) respectively. It was recommended that parents and caregivers in Illeret Ward, Marsabit County, Kenya should enhance early childhood nutrition by providing their children with foods having different nutritional contents. Different types of food being proteins, carbohydrates and fruits should be provided to children by caregivers and parents in Illeret Ward, Marsabit County, Kenya to create balanced diet and thus eliminating possibility of malnutrition. Adequate and healthful foods should be provided to children in Illeret Ward, Marsabit County, Kenya by their parents and caregivers to ensure healthful growth and development.

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WOMEN’S WELFARE IN JUJA SUBCOUNTY, KENYA

WOMEN’S WELFARE IN JUJA SUBCOUNTY, KENYA

Francisca Kanini Sunkuli
Master of Development Studies, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Prof. M. M. Sakwa
Lecturer, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Inadequate participation in economic activities makes it difficult for individuals to provide for their daily needs pressurizing them to seek intervention from the government or well-wishers. To a greater extent, it is women who have been severely affected because of their pivotal role of taking close care of households and keeping a close relationship with children. Majority of the women have no access to mainstream banking either by choice, fate or due to deep rooted cultural and socioeconomic factors that for a long time have worked to the women’s disadvantage. The general objective of this study was to determine the socio-economic determinants of participation in table banking among women in Juja Sub-county, Kenya. The research examined how women welfare is affected by availability of funds and, groups’ leadership. The study was guided by Social Exchange theory and Pecking Order theory. The study used the descriptive research design. The target population of this study was 961 women groups participating in table banking in Juja Sub County. The sample was chosen using simple random sampling to participate in the study giving a sample size of 282 respondents. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires were self-administered through drop and pick later method. All the questionnaires received were referenced and items in the questionnaire were coded to facilitate data entry. After data cleaning which entailed checking for errors in entry, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were estimated for all the quantitative variables and information presented in-form of tables and figures. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analyzed using content analysis. Inferential data analysis was done using multiple regression analysis. The study found that financial management had empowered them on setting aside money to take care of emergencies. The study also revealed that majority of the women believed that the group leaders were transparent and accountable and guided them well, but were not certain whether their group leaders were democratic and trustworthy. The study concluded that financial literacy had the greatest effect on participation in table banking on women’s welfare in Juja Sub County, followed by gender based obligations, then funds availability, then social capital, while group’s leadership had the least effect on the participation in table banking on women’s welfare in Juja Sub County. The study concluded that funds availability affected the participation in table banking on women’s welfare in Juja Sub County (β= 0.923, p=0.014<0.05). The study concluded that leadership (β= 0.653, p<0.010<0.05) affected the participation in table banking on women’s welfare in Juja Sub County. The study recommends that the government should establish policies to govern the operation of table banking; spelling out securitization of the practice. The study further recommends that groups should have access to fringe benefits such as ability to bank at zero rate charge; and loaning at relatively low interest rates than the real-time market rates. To enhance credit accessibility among table banking group members government development programs should ensure that members can access more funds for their entrepreneurial activities.

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