Influence Of Non-governmental Organizations Initiatives On Poverty Alleviation: Case Of Innovations For Poverty Action In Sinai Slums, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the influence of Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) initiatives on poverty alleviation in slums using Innovation for poverty action (IPA) as a case study. The study was conducted in Sinai slums and research was guided by the following objectives: to assess the influence of community empowerment on poverty alleviation in Sinai slums, Nairobi County, Kenya, to examine the influence of health and sanitation initiatives on poverty alleviation in Sinai slums, Nairobi County, Kenya, to assess the extent to which access to funds influences on poverty alleviation in Sinai slums, Nairobi County, Kenya and to determine the influence of education on poverty alleviation in Sinai slums, Nairobi County, Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population was sourced from Sinai slums and IPA Nairobi offices which totaled to three hundred and twenty (320) consisting of both IPA employees and creating a toilet habit (CTH) project participants living in the slums. The study applied stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques in the sampling procedure to obtain respondents for the study. A sample of 96 respondents was obtained. Data was collected from secondary and primary sources. Primary data was used in the collection of data comprised of interviews, questionnaires and field observation for primary data and scrutiny of existing records for the secondary data. Data obtained was analyzed through the application of descriptive statistics tools and SPSS version 24. The outcomes of the study were presented using APA tables. There was a large percentage of male respondents who took part in the study. The study results were that IPA initiatives had a significant influence on poverty eradication in Sinai slums through community empowerment, improved health and sanitation, access to financing and education. The IPA initiatives had led to community empowerment, access to funds improved health and sanitation and livelihood to a large extent. The study concluded that NGOs had a significant influence on poverty alleviation in the informal settlements. The study recommended that IPA needs to intensify its socio-economic empowerment initiatives so that beneficiaries can be equipped with knowledge to reduce poverty and in addition a clear policy on NGOs should be developed at a national level to further support the role of NGOs in poverty alleviation.