Factors leading to increased poverty levels in Kajiado district Kenya: case study of Ilbisil division.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the causes of increased poverty levels in Kajiado district in Kenya. The study was carried out upon the background that about 60% of the households of Kajiado district are living below the poverty line and this was according to the analysis of the NGOs operating in Kajiado district. The findings of the study revealed that; the households of Kajiado district are in poverty because they are ignorant of change due to their cultural rigidity, unfavorable climatic conditions, lack of education among most these households which limits their employment capacity and also due to the presence of HlV/AIDS epidemic which creates a dependency syndrome among these households The research design of the study was based on sample survey and cross sectional study design where primary and secondary data described and analyzed to give the magnitude of the study. Data was collected using primary data designs where qualitative data was sought using interviews, observation and focus group discussion methods and quantitative data sought through questionnaires. Secondary data was gathered through documentary review from different libraries. A sample size of eighty respondents was used where by ten NGOs representatives and ten government representatives from the ministry of special planning and disaster preparedness were involved and also ten household representatives per every location participated in the study. Community should be sensitized and empowered to abandon negative practices in their culture such as polygamous marriage, discrimination against women and cultural rigidity, which has dragged them back in issues to do with development. The community should also be informed about the importance of trimming their large herds of indigenous breed of cattle and replace them with manageable number of cattle given the conditions of the area. This community should also be helped to engage in other means of income generating activities that can withstand the dry conditions of the area such as drought resistant crops and any other economic activities apart from solely depending on livestock keeping.