Influence of constituency developement funded projects on selected indicators of poverty reduction in Kitutu Masaba Constituency, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to establish the effect of Constituency Development Funded Projects on Selected Indicators of poverty reduction in Kitutu Masaba Constituency, Kenya. The study was guided by three objectives: To establish the extent at which constituency development funded projects have improved access to education as a poverty reduction strategy; to determine the level at which constituency development funded projects have improved access to water as a strategy of poverty reduction and finally to investigate the extent at which constituency development funded projects have improved access to health care as a poverty reduction strategy.

The main objective of initiating constituency development fund is to correct disparities in regional development by targeting constituency level development projects. The study targeted projects in the education, water and health sectors undertaken by the constituency development fund. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and was guided by the social justice theory postulated by John Rawls in the 1950s upon which the concept of equity was founded. This study targeted all household heads in Manga District. Data was collected using a questionnaire as the only research instrument.

The questionnaire was divided into three sections according to objectives. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented using frequency tables and percentages. The study established that education, water and health sector project funded by the constituency development fund had a positive effect on poverty reduction in Kitutu Masaba constituency. The study recommended that constituency development fund allocations be increased from the current 2.5% of the national budget to increase its effect. Like wise the study recommended that public barazas be used as forums to sensitize the public on funded projects for accountability.