The Social Economic Impact of National Youth Service (Nys) on Urban Communities: the Case of Kibera, Nairobi County

Abstract

Kibera is one of the major informal settlements in Kenya. The area is known for high population density, inadequate health facilities, insecurity, unemployment and almost nonexistent garbage collection systems. The poor conditions in Kibera, would easily create an impression that there had never been government intervention or development plans for this area. This study was geared towards investigating the social economic impact of National Youth Service (NYS) on urban communities with specific reference to of the communities living in Kibera, Nairobi. To achieve the set objectives the study applied a descriptive survey to determine how the National Youth Service has impacted on the social-economic welfare of communities in Kibera. Data for this study was collected from young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 and who, at the time of collecting data were residents in Kibera, three MCAs and five Chiefs from Kibera. Primary data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study found National Youth Service has a great impact on poverty status and poverty levels of Kibera residents. The study also established that National Youth Service has had some effects on education status of Kibera. More schools have been established, equipped with the required facilities and a conducive environment is been maintained to ensure effective learning by the NYS project. The study also revealed that through national youth service projects, more job opportunities have been created in Kibera. Findings also revealed some improvement on the health sector since introduction of NYS programme in Kibera as more clinics have been built and equipped with the required facilities. Both qualitative and quantitative results show great improvement on health sector since introduction of NYS programme in Kibera as more clinics has been built, equipped with the required facilities. It was also noted that health accessibility, Level of environmental health and knowledge on health education among Kibera residents has improved. Further the study established that provision of free HIV/AIDS education and testing and provision of free sexual and reproductive health by NYS to Kibera residents has highly promoted the quality life in the area. The study concluded that National Youth Service input has a great positive impact on poverty status of Kibera community and poverty level has gone done as a result of National Youth Service in Kibera. It also concludes that there is improvement on health sector since introduction of NYS programme in Kibera as more clinics has been built, equipped with the required facilities. Health accessibility, Level of environmental health and knowledge on health education among Kibera residents has highly improved. Finally the study concludes that through national youth service projects more job opportunities had been created in Kibera. The study therefore recommended that the government should increase the national youth service programme budget so as to enable smooth run of the activities and government need to plan properly the national youth service programme before implementing, if need of good results. The government need to plan properly the national youth service programme before implementing, if need of good results. A Further study should also be carried out to establish the effect of National youth service on other part of country.