| dc.description.abstract | The internet is a new social form that was introduced in Kenya by professionals who had gone out of the country and later came back as expatriates to work with NGOs. The NGOs were among the first organizations to use internet in Kenya as just read and forward electronic mail. The introduction of the web has seen the internet applications growing offering an egalitarian platform to the individuals and groups. Locally however, internet access is very low and is commonly found in urban population centers. Kenya has 2.7 million internet users with penetration rate in east Afiica standing at 8 percent.
The internet is increasingly becoming the means of public reporting by social change agents. Although internet transformation is just beginning in developing countries, it is showing signs of having far reaching impacts on the NGOs operations, performance and impact. Studies have been conducted on the use of internet by NGOs but little is known about how they arc using the internet in Kenya. There exists a gap between the sustained efforts by telecommunication operators and Kenyan government to avail internet to the wider population and the uptake by potential users.
As a result, this study has four objectives. The study attempts to establish the patterns of internet utilization among NGOs and then establish the extent to which the NGOs are using the internet in their operations to improve on their efficiency and accountability. The study also attempts to find out the value added to the operations of NGOs by use of internet and the challenges they face in appropriating internet to improve on their operations.
The rationale for the study is based on the fact that, one internet is a new social norm that has led to development of new theories. Secondly, there is need to add to the body of kriowledge of the NGOs use of internet and establishing whether internet is replacing or enhancing some traditional functions of NGOs. The concept of development is a relatively new one and the study relates the emergence of this concept to the emergence of NGOs and how the two found their way to Kenya. The study situates internet in the context of development guided by two theories namely dependency theory and institutional theory.
The study uses survey research as the main method of research supplemented by field research. The study was carried out in Nairobi province. A total of 45 respondents randomly selected from 26 NGOs participated in the study and provided quantitative data. Another 4 key informants were involved in supplying the qualitative data. The data is analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
The study reveals that there is a shift in institutional formations. Nonetheless, there are some areas where they continue to copy western styles of institutions thus limiting their flexibility. Besides, the NGOs continue to. be dependent on the developed world not just for financial support that is released with conditions but also on the language of web content.
The study makes key recommendations regarding policy on teaching of mother tongue language and telecommunication infrastructure development in non-serviced parts of Kenya. Suggestions are also made on how the NGOs could overcome some of the challenges that they are facing in laying down internet infrastructure. | en_US |
