Sustainability Of Food Assistance Programmes In Kenya: A Case Of Kakuma, Turkana County

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the factors influencing the sustainability of Food Assistance Programmes in Kenya: A Case of Food Assistance for Assets programme in Kakuma, Turkana County. This research was driven by the fact that after a couple of years, the projects initiated by a number of humanitarian organizations under the study sample, had either stalled or the fruits of these initiatives not fully enjoyed by the local communities. Looking at the study sample, very good projects can be seen yet abandonment of these on several occasions has meant that sustainability of the Food Assistance Programmes can only be found on paper. Four objectives guided this research; to examine how demographic characteristics of beneficiaries influence the sustainability of Food Assistance Programmes, to investigate the level to which weather conditions influence the sustainability of Food Assistance Programmes, to assess how beneficiaries' participation influences the sustainability of Food Assistance Programmes and to determine how capacity building of beneficiaries influences the sustainability of Food Assistance Programmes. The study adopted a descriptive research approach. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used in collecting information from a sample of 40 beneficiaries, 2 WFP managers, and two managers from TRP, 2 Chiefs, and ten community leaders. A similar group from a different location was used to validate the data collection instruments and to determine their reliability. The study established that 90% of the program implementers were female, with only 10% representing the male gender. Also, the study established that 52.5% of those interviewed agreed that gender has a significant influence on the sustainability of food assistance programs. The research also showed that 90% of the implementers were of the view that age determines the success and sustainability of programs. Again, the findings showed that there was a strong correlation between the size of the family and the sustainability of food assistance programmes. On education level, 85% never attained any form of education. On the influence of weather conditions, 85% of the respondents agreed that the distribution of rainfall across the area is not favourable to support any productive agricultural activities. On stakeholder participation, 85% of the respondents agreed that they are not consulted on matters to do with the implementation of the program but are most of the time informed of what is expected of them. The research also established that 60% of those interviewed had not been trained. Further, 35% of those trained said they had only been trained once in the past 12 months. The researcher, therefore, recommends that gender inequality and discrimination should be addressed to ensure that both men and women are involved at every stage of the programs. Regarding the weather aspect, the researcher proposes the introduction and/or expansion of climate-smart agriculture, which has proved to be the cure to most agricultural and environmental problems faced by most farmers in the semi-arid and arid regions. The food assistance programmes should also be designed from the beneficiaries' point of view, and they should also be fully involved in the implementation process. On the education level, since most of those interviewed had very low levels of education; their capacities to implement the program activities need to build and strengthened regularly. Keywords: Sustainability, Demographic, Characteristics, Weather conditions, Stakeholders, Participation, Capacity building.