Effect of Community Empowerment Initiatives on Human Development in Vihiga County, Kenya

Abstract

Community empowerment has been advocated to be the most promising approach to local development. Ideally, community empowerment mobilizes local communities to improve their quality of life thereby reducing poverty and influencing developmental change at local levels. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of community empowerment fund on human development in Vihiga County. The study adopted a descriptive research approach with stratified sampling technique. This research methodology focused on both qualitative and quantitative research design that facilitates the collection of data from primary sources. The study population consisted of 50 groups with membership of 1200 members in the community and households within the five sub-counties in Vihiga County. The study covered the key variables of community empowerment such as ownership of productive assets, savings, labour service, access to medical services that have effect on human development of the people of Vihiga County. The sample size used was 384. Data analysis was conducted through multivariate regression model with the aid of SPSS version 24 software. A multivariate regression model was applied to determine the effect of community empowerment on human development and to ascertain possible significant relationship for each of the three variables in the study. The study found out that community empowerment positively affect human development in Vihiga County, the study concludes that most residents are members of community based projects. The study also concludes that in developing the projects all genders are involved. Finally, the study concludes that community empowerment, community microfinance, devolution affect human development in Vihiga County. The study recommends that community empowerment funds should be made available for investment and expansion of community projects and businesses.