Resource Mobilization Strategies and Implementation of Community Based Organization Projects in Kenya: a Case of Kibra Informal Settlement, Nairobi County

Abstract

Resources remain an issue for many CBOs in Kenya because their level of funding is insufficient with their current resource mobilization strategies. Many CBOs operating in Kibra fail to acquire enough funds that can allow their projects to be implemented on a larger scale, or in more than one village. In Kenya, CBOs generally face the challenge of resource shortage and inadequate personnel. Despite numerous efforts by CBOs Sin mobilization of resources for implementation of various projects, many of these CBOs have a very weak resource capacity that has played a part in delay, termination, or failure of important projects. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the resource mobilization strategies and implementation of CBO projects in Kenya; A case of Kibra informal settlement, Nairobi County. The objectives of the research study were to establish the influence of strategic planning for resources, to determine the influence of fundraising techniques, to assess the influence of volunteerism, and to examine the influence of partnerships with other organizations on the implementation of CBO projects in Kenya. This study was grounded on 2 theories: Resource Mobilization Theory and the Resource Based-View Theory. The research employed the descriptive survey research design. This study targeted 400 CBO members working in 100 registered CBOs implementing Youth Empowerment, Environmental Conservation or Child Welfare projects in Kibra informal settlement. From the target population, a sample of 80 was selected for this study. Purposive sampling was employed to select the 100 CBOs while stratified random sampling was done to adequately distribute the sample size among the strata. Then, the respondents were selected through the simple random sampling technique. A questionnaire was administered to aid in data collection. The reliability was checked through applying the split- half approach. The data was then analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis tools for descriptive statistics included mean, frequencies, percentages, and standard deviation and person correlation was used to analyze inferential statistics. The study found that most of the respondents indicated that the organization had a strategic plan for mobilizing resources. The duration of the strategic plan for mobilizing resources was 1 year and 3 years. The study also found that statements were linked to fundraising techniques to a great extent. The study further found that respondents mentioned that volunteerism was used as a strategy for human resources mobilization in their CBO and the study finally found that the following statements were linked to partnerships with other organizations to a great extent. The study recommends that conducting a thorough needs assessment is important; the study further endorses that the CBOs ought to come up with a clear and compelling message; The study also recommends that by leveraging volunteerism effectively, CBOs can increase their capacity to implement their projects successfully and by developing strong partnerships with other organizations, CBOs can increase their capacity to implement their projects successfully.