As reiterated in the various policy documents, the Government of Kenya has since
independence in 1963 directed its efforts to fight disease, ignorance and poverty as part of
its development objectives. The policy notwithstanding, poverty levels continue to increase.
In particular, practical policies in fighting poverty became eminent with the launching of
the National Poverty Eradication Plan (NPEP) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
(PRSP) 2000 – 2003. Hitherto, poverty reduction efforts had not yielded much due to: a)
weak mapping and coordination of the lead institutions, b) duplication of efforts, c)
inadequate coverage by region and even gender, d) competition among and between players,
and e) lack of clear policy direction.
It is against this background that the study sought to assess the effectiveness of the
policies and capacity of institutions in poverty reduction programmes. In addressing the
subject, both primary and secondary data were collected in five purposively selected
districts. A number of tools (viz. structured questionnaires, interview guides, focus group
discussion guides, observation guides and fact sheets) were used to collect the data.
The study revealed that there still exist weak linkages among organisations involved in
poverty alleviation programmes. Again, sectoral collaboration among institutions remains
ineffective. This is further complicated by duplication of efforts, making it difficult for
institutions to link their activities. On the other hand, the institutions lack requisite capacities
as evidenced by less qualified personnel, weak physical infrastructure, ineffective
networking within their areas of operation, weak management structures, and, imposing
ideas on the communities rather than deriving development strategies from them.
The above limitations notwithstanding, some of the institutions are effectively reaching
out to the people while others, though efficient, their activities are shrouded in secrecy.
These have weakened their participation in poverty alleviation.
This study recommends effective and efficient co-ordination between state and non-state
players to avoid duplication; creating an enabling environment that allows non-state actors
to influence poverty alleviation policies; reforming existing government institutions and
structures such as the District Focus for Rural Development (DFRD); and establishing
District Poverty Alleviation secretariats to harmonize the activities of institutions involved
in poverty alleviation at the local/grassroots level.