| dc.description.abstract | This research focused on the factors influencing Community Development in relation to the Rural Electrification Project funded by the French Development Agency in Kitui County. The purpose of the study was to identify to what extent the various components of the Rural Electrification project had influenced community development in Kitui County to inform the various stakeholders in the sector especially on future prospected project appraisals and to learn from best practices for replication and mistakes or failures for corrective action.
Literature reviewed for this study, identified a need to go beyond the usual measurement of project outputs for rural electrification projects and to identify the components of the projects that influenced socio-economic development and changes in production and lifestyles and beneficiary communities. The study was based on a with-without study from a survey carried out in electrified and non-electrified commercial centres, social and administrative amenities and households in the County. The study used the survey methodology and qualitative data collection tools to collect data from the three main categories of beneficiaries targeted for the project. Documentary information and coverage on the project was also used to obtain information on the project implementation in the chosen locality of study.
All data obtained for this study was analysed using content analysis and descriptive analysis methods. A positive outcome of the project on the community was identified where the priority centres had connected and were using electricity in their day to day activities. However it emerged that low connectivity characterised this project in most centres therefore portraying a major setback in an area that had high expectation and a general desire to use electricity for upward economic mobility.
The conclusions of this study are intended for the purpose of informing the conception and implementation of future rural electrification projects by various stakeholders in the sector notably the respective government agencies, donors and the beneficiary communities. It is recommended that further studies also be carried out on the long term impacts that bring about economic, social, environmental and cultural change to communities and more particularly rural communities where rural electrification projects have been implemented. | en_US |
