An Analysis of Community Participation in Cdf Projects in North Horr Constituency

Abstract

Community participation has been adopted as a means for enlightening the lives of the people through their active participation in the entire project cycle. The government of Kenya with the determination of bringing development closer to people, and to enhance citizen participation established Constituency Development Fund in 2003 through an act of parliament. This kitty was recognized because it had an extensive goal of enlightening the wellbeing of the constituents and to regulate and cut down on the inequalities in regional development. Despite the government of Kenya having included public participation in its constitution, constituencies are still experiencing poor participation of communities in development work. The purpose of this study was to analyze community participation in CDF projects in the North Horr constituency. Specific objectives of the study were: to evaluate the level of community participation in the project cycle; to examine the factors that hinder community participation in the project cycle; to determine ways of improving community participation in project cycle. The study was guided by the Community Action Planning Model which seeks to explain that for any strategy to be implemented, a just representation of all and that the societies should be in charge of the entire project cycle. A descriptive design was used to give an analysis of community participation in the project cycle. The target population was 1004 people from North Horr constituency. Cluster sampling method was used to identify the 100 respondents from three wards namely Turbi, Maikona and North Horr wards. However, probability sampling methods were used to select the 100 respondents. In addition, key informants who comprised of CDF Manager and three CDFC were selected purposefully for the study. Data was collected by use of interview guides and questionnaires. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was presented in themes while quantitative data was presented in charts and frequencies. The study found that the level of participation in the project cycle was low. The study also showed that there were no ways for dispute and conflict resolution for anomalies that occur. It was also established that community involvement in the project cycle was a reserve of CDFC members, a few individuals appointed and the area member of Parliament. They study also found that women are not involved in the project cycle. The low levels of awareness and low literacy levels of the existing and the needed projects hinder community members from participating in the project identification. Findings of the study were used to generate knowledge that informed locals capacity to articulate needs and make local solutions and in addition help CDC with knowledge on how to involve stakeholders in various phases and activities.