THE EFFECTS OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS’ ACTIVITIES ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN MWATATE DIVISION, TAITA TAVETA COUNTY

Abstract

Mwatate Division in Taita Taveta County has been faced with persistent poverty (Kenya’s Country Strategy Paper, 2008-2013) despite the existence of 600 Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in the area (Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development, 2011). This prompted this study, a descriptive survey which employed both descriptive and quantitative statistical methods. Its aim was to assess the effect of the CBO’s activities on poverty alleviation in the area. It utilized the empowerment theory which links poverty alleviation to empowering the impoverished. With a population of 600 CBOs the target population was 206, out of which a sample size of 100 was studied. Data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The major findings indicated that the CBOs’ activities did not impact on the poverty status in the area. It was recommended that the CBOs needed empowerment so as to be effective.