Effectiveness of national poverty reduction strategies on poverty reduction as perceived by residents of Laini Saba location in Kibera Division, Nairobi Province, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of national poverty reduction strategies on poverty reduction as perceived by residents of Laini Saba location in Kibera Division, Nairobi Province in Kenya. This is part of an urban informal settlement which has been identified as one of the areas most affected by poverty with more than half of the people living below the poverty line (CBS 2001). Poverty still persists in many parts of the country despite the many strategies established to improve peoples' standard of living. Urban poverty has been recognized to be a major development problem and is associated with the rising urban population caused mainly by rural-urban migration.

This study adopted a survey research design and the target population comprised residents of Laini Saba location and incorporated the households relocated under the slum upgrading programme. The total population of Laini Saba location is estimated to be 50,000 people and a sample size of 384 was determined using statistical population surveys. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and also through observation. There was a pilot study carried out in Saran' gombe location to determine reliability and validity of the research instruments and the results of the study were used to improve the questionnaire.

Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 17.0). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data whose findings were presented in Tables using frequencies and percentages. The conclusion of the study was that the slum upgrading Programme is effective in poverty reduction in Laini Saba location of Kibera Division. According to the study public health facilities in Kibera in terms of accessibility, charges and management are not effective on poverty reduction.

Free Primary Education (FPE) happened to be one of the most highly recognized programmes in the Kibera Laini Saba Location compared with the other programmes introduced by the government. Finally, employment and especially through the Kazi kwa Vijana programme has been effective on poverty reduction in Kibera, Laini Saba Location. Major recommendations were that the rent paid for the upgraded houses should be affordable. More public health facilities should be provided to ensure access to health care by all. There is need for more public primary schools and bursaries to allow for transition to secondary schools. Also, there should be transparency in the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme to ensure the programme benefits the youth as intended.