| dc.description.abstract | The main objective of this study was to explore on socioeconomic factors influencing participation of households in CDF projects to alleviating rural poverty. Shortcomings of the highly centralised system, has resulted in politically marginalized rural areas which are often characterized by are little opportunity to influence government policies, Lack of access to productive assets, exclusion from economic, social and political processes. Other dimensions of poverty in rural areas include malnutrition and illness, illiteracy, and lack of empowerment to improve one's situation. Empirical evidence has shown that poverty is relatively more sensitive to distributional changes than to economic growth thus; the fund aims to targets all constituency-level development projects, particularly those aiming to combat poverty at the grassroots:
The study adopted an exploratory research design and utilized quantitative method of data collection. Desk review and structured questionnaire were the tools of data collection. The target population included projects funded by the CDF. Purposive sampling was used to sample CDF projects. Individual respondents from participating households were sampled using systematic random sampling method. With a total sample size of 100 respondents, a structured questionnaire with open-ended and closed questions was used to collect the data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The main descriptive tools were the mean and percentages. For inferential statistics, cross tabulations and measures of association including test of significance were employed.
The major findings of the study were: Majority of the respondents had high literacy levels and their socio-economic background was weak. Respondents were aware of CDF fund. CDF projects had contributed in availing socioeconomic amenities such as school bursaries, dispensaries, creating employment opportunities and efficient transport. As regards to participation in CDF projects, households did not participate in seminars, workshops or educational tours. CDF was embroiled in management problems with lack of transparency pointed as the major reason for lack of participation. Finally, respondents agreed CDF had attained development agenda although on overall satisfaction, majority of the respondents reported CDF had not satisfactorily addressed their problems.
Hypothesis testing showed a significant relationship between vanous aspects of socioeconomic status (Level of education, marital: status, annual income, religion, number of children and literacy levels) while others (age, sex, employment status and language) were not significantly related to level of participation. Further, there was no significant relationship between types of CDF projects, respondents' degree of satisfaction and level of participation. The study recommended, CDF projects be harmonized with the local development priorities/ needs. Respondents/constituents should be sensitized against overdependence on CDF. Establishment of community based institutional mechanisms to increase community participation in various projects. Finally, CDF committee should reinforce gender equity in employing professional managers through inclusion of women and the vulnerable groups in the management
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