| dc.description.abstract | The main aim of this study was to assess the success of Njaa Marufuku Kenya in reducing poverty and hunger among households in Gikindu location of Kiharu division Murang'a North district. The study was set to achieve the following specific objectives namely;
1. To examine ways in which beneficiaries utilize NMK funds to reduce poverty and hunger.
2. To establish the extent of beneficiaries involvement in decision making on activities of reducing poverty and hunger.
3. To establish the impact ofNMK cash grant on poverty and hunger reduction among the beneficiaries.
4. To examine challenges facing implementation of activities of NMK in reducing poverty and hunger.
The target population included both beneficiary and non-beneficiary households of NMK program in Gikindu location. A total of 120 respondents were sampled in the study on a fifty-fifty basis for both beneficiary and non-beneficiary households. Four key informants were used in the study to supplement the study findings. To complement each other, both the questionnaire arid in-depth interviews were carried out. The raw data from the field was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and MS excel. Descriptive statistics was used in interpretation of findings. Respondents outlined various activities in utilization of NMK funds, they included; buying of dairy goats both for individuals and members, buying farm inputs (fertilizers, chemicals), revolving funds, trainings, establishing nurseries and buying poultry among other activities.
Findings revealed that most ofthe respondents were involved in decision making process in a number of activities However, 20% of the respondents reported to be involved in capacity building decision to a low extent. However, most of the key informants noted that participating beneficiaries were not adequately involved in decision making process as most of stakeholders patronage and unilaterally made decisions.
Majority of NMK beneficiaries (91%) acknowledged that NMK cash grant had positive effect in reduction of poverty and hunger among the households. Only a small proportion of 9 % of respondents acknowledged no effect. Comparison of livelihood of benefiting and non benefiting households showed that NMK program beneficiaries were better off since they had projects that generate income for their households.
The study outcome indicated that there are numerous challenges that affected the implementation activities of NMK program. The major challenges hindering the implementation activitiess to a high extent were high cost of inputs (100%) unfavourable weather condititons (85%), education 80%, modern technology 76%. On the other hand,weak cordination of major stakeholders affected the program to a moderate extent (60%) and unfavourable land tenure impacted the program to a high extent 55%. Key informants further helped identify more challenges that include; misappropriation of grants funds by individual groups, incompetent group leadership, ineffective coordination of stakeholder's activities, education level of the beneficiaries and delay in disbursement of cash to approved groups projects.
The study recommendation was that the government should consider extending the olive branch to the rest of the of non-beneficiaries through screening, supporting of poor farmers groups locked out by stringent NMK program approval procedures in order to ensure that most people are reached out in the program. To mitigate misappropriation monitoring and evaluation should be carried out regularly in order to ensure that monies
were used for the intended projects. | en_US |
