Factors Influencing Communities' Dependence on Food Aid: a Case of Bamba, Ganze District, Kenya
Abstract
Although aid is meant to spur economic and agricultural development, questions abound as to
whether it is achieving this goal or not. It has been argued that Kenya has continued to rely on
food aid instead of producing enough food to feed its population. The key purpose of this study
was to explore the factors that have resulted in this scenario and narrowed it down to Bamba
division, Ganze district in Kilifi County. The literature review explains how poverty, effects of
climate change and the existence of relief organizations contribute to a community's dependence
on food aid. These also formed the objectives of the study. The target population was 150
households in Bamba division. A descriptive survey was used to collect both the secondary and
primary data. This methodology was chosen since it was suitable for describing occurrences as
they are presently, as they were in the past or as they will be in the future. It is a method used for
fact-finding, which results in the creation of principles of knowledge and offers solutions to
significant problems. The study also employed a cross-sectional study as subjects were
interviewed across a cross-section of the target population at the same time. Random sampling
was used as the main method of sampling. A second sampling technique, convenience sampling
was applied in cases where respondents were not available. Questionnaires through one-on-one
interviews were the main instruments of quantitative data collection where a total of 51
respondents were interviewed. Validity was ensured by conducting a pilot study to respondents
not selected in the sample. This aided the.researcher to correct the questions in the questionnaire,
arrange them in a logical sequence anti-'&~d,modify or remove questions for better inquiry.
Reliability was ensured by administering questionnaires to 5 respondents outside the sample and
re-administering the questionnaires again a week later. The results were computed and the KarlPearson
correlation co-efficient was 0.87 meaning the questionnaire could be relied on to collect
valid data. A description of the data collected has been provided organized mainly in themes.
The data has been represented in the form of tables. The study found out that all households in
the study area were engaged in crop production. However, effects of climate change, poverty and
poor agricultural practices undermine their efforts and make them food insecure. Based on the
findings, the study recommended that a shift in policy occurs with regard to importation of
foreign aid that undermines local development leaving beneficiaries dependent and unable to
survive on their own without external help
Citation
M.APublisher
University of Nairobi Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi