| dc.description.abstract | In an attempt to assess the factors that affect the process of implementing drought recovery projects in Ganze District, the researcher conducted a study in sampled projects sites within the Bamba and Vitengeni divisions of Ganze district. The initial plan had targeted that Ganze division was also to be included in the sample. However, logistical challenges during the data collection stage and the fact that only two projects were implemented in the division saw the researcher leave out Ganze division. The current global climatic change has necessitated significant changes related to environmental factors in Africa and Kenya as well. The arid and semi-arid lands have continued to receive little to no rains in the seasons which have for a long time been considered as the ''normal rain' seasons. The deterioration and degradation of the fragile ecosystem, has endangered the livelihoods of people living in the aforementioned areas.
In the recent decades, the arid and semi-arid areas have been characterized by mild to severe drought conditions which have resulted in near catastrophic outcomes prompting national governments and international community to respond to these crises. In Kenya, the situation has not only been severe to the people living in the areas which are considered as perennially drought prone, but also the marginal agricultural areas such as Ganze district. The drought conditions as well as other occasional shocks have continued to increase the vulnerability of people who live in these areas.
It is because of these and other related factors such high dependence ratio and high levels of poverty that safety nets and other forms of livelihood enhancements mechanisms have been instituted in the arid and semi-arid areas. The measures adopted include the design as well as implementation of drought recovery projects whose overall goal is to enhance appropriate recovery from drought. The recovery process is characterized by deliberate efforts which are geared towards resilience building in various contexts to enable the communities to cope appropriately if and when the shocks strike. It is for this reason that the agenda of recovery has gained prominence in the academic sphere with practitioners as well as academicians making significant contributions related to the best practices as well as lessons learnt.
In this study, experiences from African countries such as Ethiopia and Malawi have been reviewed as well as the utilization of innovative and latest technology in addressing the challenges which emanate from the effects of drought. The variables which have been considered in this study include community participation, role of partners in the recovery process and the effects of food and cash transfers in these projects. Some notable features in the literature relate to the different models and conceptualization of the recovery process and what different writers have put forth. The researcher approached the study by seeking the community's own view and understanding of what exactly affects the drought recovery projects implementation process in Ganze. Significant findings show that the community's own input in the process is of great importance as well as what the donors provide as. an incentive: the role of food and cash transfers to the severely affected food insecure households is of paramount importance. It is recommended that these two features be studied further.In addition it is recommended that an inquisitive study be carried out to establish why women almost single-handedly participate in these projects which are highly labour intensive while men tend to keep off when women are toiling In the fields. . | en_US |
