| dc.description.abstract | Community Based Organizations (CBOs) refer to private non-profit organizations, existing as a
group in a particular community with the feelings of sharing, belonging and joint use of resources
in order to achieve a particular objective. CBOs playa very critical role in filling the gaps faced
by the Government in its endeavor to provide critical services to the community. There is still no
clear information on the role of CBOs and the nature of their activities and how those activities
are contributing to the livelihoods of the community members in Nyalenda. CBOs are often faced
with numerous challenges arising from their internal operational and organizational structure as
well as other external factors that impede their operations and sustainability. There exists
numerous opportunities for sustainable growth of CBOs. However, the opportunities have
remained untapped by CBOs either due to lack of information or deficiency in internal capacity to
exploit such opportunities. Nyalenda is today one of the largest informal urban settlement in
Kisumu with about 60,699 inhabitants. Nyalenda has 342 CBOs registered by Department of
Social Services many of which are registered as women groups. Despite the registration of a huge
number of CBOs in Nyalenda, very few CBOs appear to be active in implementing activities for
which they were formed. Several others are facing numerous organizational management
challenges to the extent that some have closed down. The study set out to determine the factors
influencing the sustainable growth of community based organizations in Nyalenda. The
specific objectives of this study were to identify the types of activities CBOs in Nyalenda engage
in, the challenges they experience in their operations, and the existing opportunities for
sustainable growth of CBOs in Nyalenda. The study design was cross sectional and was guided
by Community Action Theory. A total of 14 key informants and 15 CBOs officials were
interviewed. Questionnaires were administered to 77 CBO Members. The target population for
the study comprised the officials of the community based organizations specifically: chairpersons,
secretaries, treasurers, and members; District Social Development officer; NGOs working in
Nyalenda; Local administration; Religious leaders; Director of Social Services at Municipal
council of Kisumu and the District Youth Officer. The unit of analysis was the officials and
members of CBOs in Nyalenda. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, Focus Group
Discussions guides, interview schedules and photography. Secondary data were collected from
text books, scientific journals, periodicals, reports, published and unpublished theses and Internet.
Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means and percentages. .
Qualitative data were organized and then categorized into themes and patterns. The findings
from the study show that most CBOs in the study area were formed as a result of welfare
associations which were meant to bring together people along kinship ties like lineage,
clan or ethnic group and that most CBOs were involved in entrepreneurship or saving.
The study also revealed that CBOs in Nyalenda face a myriad of challenges in their
operations. The study has identified numerous opportunities for growth of CBOs
including the numerous devolved funds from Government, training opportunities by other
NGOs and the new constitution of Kenya which calls for active engagement of CBOs in
local government decision making. The study recommends need to enhance the capacity
of CBOs through training in critical areas such as organizational management, group
dynamics and resource mobilization. Funds allocated to CBOs from government and
development partners should be tracked to ensure transparency and accountability.
Relevant policies should be enacted and enforced to streamline operations of CBOs. The
study further recommends that a research should be conducted to look at the role of
government in sustainable growth of CBOs in slums. | en_US |
