Abstract: Despite ongoing efforts by Public Benefit Organizations (PBOs) to support government initiatives in reducing poverty in Mwingi North Sub-County, Kitui County, indicators reveal a persistent and worsening situation. Illiteracy and low school enrollment rates are high, with poverty prevalence estimated at 41.9%. Although other actors, such as Compassion International Kenya, have helped address these issues, their impact has been limited. This study examined the effect of PBO-led educational initiatives on sustainable household poverty reduction based on Social Capital Theory and the Capability Approach. Using descriptive and correlational research methods, the study focused on a population of 162,218, with an accessible target of 131,883 (81.3% of those in poverty). A sample of 399 respondents was calculated using Slovin’s formula, with simple random sampling used for household selection and purposive sampling for key informants for the PBO personnel. Data collection involved interviews, utilizing questionnaires and key informant guides. The reliability of the instruments was confirmed through expert review and Cronbach’s alpha of 0.967, obtained from 40 respondents in a similar area, which exceeded the benchmark of 0.70. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS v.29 and Pearson’s correlation, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Results at a 99% confidence level showed that education had a significant positive relationship with poverty reduction (r = 0.051, p < 0.01, β = 0.192). Notably, 40.5% of respondents disagreed that PBO involved parents and communities in educational awareness. The study concludes that increasing community participation is essential for improving school enrollment and supporting long-term socio-economic change.

Abstract: Women play a critical role in agricultural activities, yet their contributions to household food security are often undervalued and under-supported. Despite their central involvement in food production, women are frequently excluded from key decision-making processes related to agriculture and food security. This study investigated the effect of women’s participation in agriculture on sustainable household food security in Baringo County. The research aimed to explore how women’s involvement in agricultural activities impacts food security outcomes at the household level. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design with a mixed methods approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. A sample of 316 registered members of SMART Agriculture and 6 field officers were selected through random and purposive sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and interviews. The findings revealed that a majority of respondents felt women were not sufficiently involved in decision-making regarding household food security, and there was a noticeable gender disparity in contributions to food production. Despite this, many respondents acknowledged the growing role of women in agricultural activities and their positive impact on household food security. The study’s results indicate a strong positive correlation between women’s participation in agriculture and sustainable food security, as demonstrated by a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.684 (p = 0.000). The study concludes that increasing women’s involvement in agriculture significantly enhances food security outcomes, emphasizing the need for policies that promote gender inclusion in agricultural decision-making and community support for women.

Abstract: Motorcycles basically known as boda boda in Kenya play a very important role in the transport sector. Boda boda enterprise is male dominated with some women showing interest in joining it, however, with challenges. Women’s entrepreneurship is designated as the new engine of economic growth in developing countries. Prior research shows how men and women differ in starting a business, with women normally facing more restrictions on entrepreneurial performance. This study sought to investigate the influence of women’s inclusion in boda boda management in household livelihood sustainability in Homa-Bay Town Sub-County, Kenya. Social Network theory guided this study. The study used a descriptive design approach. The study employed a simple random sampling procedure to select the study participants. The study sample size was 366 boda boda riders and spouses selected out of the 170 stages of operation in the Homabay Town Sub-County. The study employed both descriptive statistics and qualitative methods to analyse data. The study found that women offer social support, financial and managerial support when involved in boda boda enterprise management hence improving its management for better economic growth. The study recommends including women in boda boda enterprise management because it has a positive impact that enhances the growth of the enterprise and offers social, financial, and sustainable growth of the household.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine how produce management practices affecting household food security in Kwanza sub County. The world has been struggling with food insecurity; postharvest losses is one of the major challenges in the world. Household food insecurity is a recurrent challenge for smallholder farmers. This research employed General systems theory. The research found descriptive research design most appropriate and incorporated a mixed method of data collection. A sample size of 395 farming households, which included county officials and agricultural extension officers; calculated with the help of Yamane formula. The study used questionnaires to collect data. The analysis was done through SPSS version 25. The study revealed that the harvesting mechanism mainly employed was handpicking and activities done mainly at postharvest was threshing. Traditional produce storages were found to be more susceptible to pest storage with losses ranging from weevil attacks, discoloration, spillage contamination, rotten grains to broken grain. Another finding was that the farming households are not able to have access to metal silos because of its high cost. The results demonstrate that effective produce management practices are crucial in transforming household food security. The study recommends the integration of produce management practices in the national strategic plans by engaging all stakeholders. Training for community should be considered in order to enhance household’s food security, road network and metal silos should be cost friendly.

Received November 16, 2019; Reviewed April 26, 2020; Accepted May 13, 2020

Abstract: The general public and government social transformation agents alike assume that all Women have equal access to Development safety-net funds. Isiolo County, though a predominantly pastoralist region, has motivated women of all ages to take advantage of enterprise investment facilities to invest in small and medium business enterprises. The study sought to investigate whether women livelihoods survival mechanisms were improving as a result of women fund up-take in the area, against the popular notion that pastoral women, particularly those of Islamic religion, never engage on cash driven business ventures. It was anchored on Coleman’s Social Capital Theory and the Rational Choice Theory due to their emphasis on rational thinking in investment decision making.Fifty (50) women entrepreneurs were involved in the study, which adopted mixed research design. Stratified, Snowball and multistage sampling techniques were widely employed to select the nature of businesses and their locations, while purposive and simple random techniques were used to identify and select respondents for inclusion in the sample. Structured observation, interviewing, focus group discussions (FGDs) and Key Informants Interviews (KIIs) were used in data collection. Qualitative data were analyzed by generating essential key themes as they emerged from the verbal expressions, while qualitative data were analyzed by application of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Consistent sensitization, mentorship of young women and training are highly recommended.

Received September 20, 2018; Revised October 16, 2018; Accepted January 25, 2019

Abstract: Fish farming has and continues to play a vital role in improving nutrition and creating employment. The sociological aspects manifest in the household as well as the community were the centre of focus in the study aimed at establishing the households and group networks in the development of fish farming in Busia County. It sought to assess the importance of family support to the development of fish farming. The rational choice theory as propounded by George Homans (1961) was used to explain the sociological relevance of the study. The survey research design that is cross-sectional in nature was used. The target population was that of farmers who were actively involved in fish farming as well as a number who through their own initiative, ventured into the enterprise. Eight key informants were selected for the study. This study used a mixed-methods approach. The main statistical test that was used was Chi-square goodness-of-fit. The findings of the study revealed that a majority of the farmers realized a growth on their fish farms. The study findings also revealed that family support was a significant component in the development of fish farming in Busia County. The study recommended that key components on conflict resolution and functionality should be included in the training, to be applied at family level. This would enhance the synergy and efficient functioning of the families as sociological units in the optimal development of the sector.