Factors Leading to Dependency on Donor Aid: Case of Kianda Village, Kibera Informal Settlement in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2015-06
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
This study sought to establish the factors leading to dependence on donor Aid in Kianda village in the larger Kibera Slum of Nairobi County, Kenya. It has been observed that the residents of Kianda are highly dependent on donor Aid channeled through CBOs working to address various problems in Kianda. The problem that the study sought to address can be defined in the following manner: due to interplay of factors such as politics, scarcity of resources, economic instability and psychosocial drawbacks, the residents of Kianda village are caught in a situation of crippling poverty which leads them to dependency on Aid and into further poverty. This was done by classifying the various factors whose interplay leads to dependence and aggravates poverty. At the heart of the problem is a modus operandi which is detrimental in the long run for the residents of Kianda, who despite the numerous projects implemented for them, still live in a situation of chronic poverty. The research methodology consisted of a mixed approach where both qualitative and quantitative data which was collected by use of questionnaires and group discussions were analyzed. Use of extensive literature review on informal settlements, as well as interview guide for group discussions were used to compliment the study. A total of 141 respondents were selected for the interview, with 121 of these being the residents of Kianda and the remaining 20 being Managers and coordinators of CBOs. Of these, 100 questionnaires issued to the residents were returned, as were 17 issued to CBOs. The data analysis was done using SPSS and the findings discussed extensively. The findings show that Kianda residents are dependent on Aid. It was also established that politics and poor governance play a negative role in leading to dependence. Further, it was found that poor education, disempowerment of the residents as well as lack of employment opportunities lead to the high levels of dependence on donor Aid. Lastly, it was found that the CBOs play a contributory role in the Aid dependency syndrome by taking on board most of the responsibilities in developmental projects. The study therefore concluded that the dependence on donor Aid in Kianda village is crippling the growth of the residents. It also concluded that the residents of Kianda need to play a central role in their own development instead of being indifferent to it. The study recommends a re-education and social inclusion be done to transform the situation of poverty in Kianda and trigger true development. This calls for all the parties to be involved actively in this transformation. It further recommends that government adopts policies which empower the residents to own their own development such as security of land tenure and implementation of reform agenda. Furthermore, CBOs are encouraged to play their role of advocacy and lobby for the residents so as true transformation can be achieved.
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Keywords
Donor Aid, Leading to Dependency, Informal Settlement