Foreign Electronic Donations and Environmental Sustainabilty in Kenya

Abstract

A dominant and current assumption is that, if Africa is to develop, it should incorporate ICT strategies such as e-commerce, e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-gender, e-agriculture, e-commerce as part of its development strategies. Accordingly, ICT has become an essential global resource in Kenyan development. However, Kenya is experiencing digital gap in terms of affordably, accessibility and usage. As such, computers have been donated from global North to South to fill this gap. These donations though beneficial, they have unintended and anticipated consequences that are unknown to donor organizations in the North. The study explores whether these donations can contribute to sustainable development in Kenya. The study examines the nexus between communication and state building. The research also demonstrates how e-waste is a challenge to sustainable development. The study adopted modernisation theory to explain how ICT donation was one of the strategies for nation building. The research design was based on exploratory research using both qualitative and quantitative method. Non-probabilistic sampling using purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. Both primary data and secondary data were collected; the latter was collected through interviews and questionnaire. Data analysis was done by employing the thematic analytical technique. The premises in this study were analysed, and it was observed that communication is a significant resource in nation building in Kenya. However, low penetration of information, communication and technology presents socio-economic and political developmental challenges. Despite Kenya being a signatory to both Basel and Bamako Convention, she is yet to domesticate the policy. Although, there is established ewaste guideline, the standard of e-waste control is still wanting and the trend of domestication has been slow. As such the research concludes that ICT donations bridge the digital divide, but the presence of e-waste will prolong achievement of sustainable development. Accordingly, the question of sustainability should be part of development strategies which involve the application of ICT.