Effect of Economic and Political Empowerment on Community Wellbeing in Marsabit, Kenya
Keywords:
: Economic empowerment, Political Empowerment, Partnership and Community well-beingAbstract
The Northern parts of Kenya which has the lowest development indicators and highest poverty incidence amongst all areas in Kenya. Despite the increase in donor funding to government and NGOs towards poverty reduction programs, the state of poverty in Kenya and the Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) regions in particular has been on the increase. The study investigated the effect of economic and political empowerment on community well-being. Descriptive design was used in the study. The target population of the study was made up of 800 beneficiaries of donor support programmes. A sample of 80 respondents was picked using random sampling and questionnaires given out. Primary data was collected and used. Correlation and multiple regression model was used to establish the relationship between economic, political empowerment and community wellbeing. Findings indicated that economic empowerment and community well-being were positively and significant related. The results further indicated that political empowerment and community well-being were positively and insignificantly related. The study concluded that economic empowerment and political empowerment have a positive effect on the community empowerment. The study recommended for the political leaders to identify, understand, and strengthen the community capacities, which are the primary source of solutions to local problems. Governments with the assistance of NGOs need to commit to a long-term process of local organizational development through good governance through partnership and networking.
Keywords: Economic empowerment, Political Empowerment, Partnership and Community well-being
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