Title:
THE INFLUENCE OF KAZI KWA VIJANA PROGRAMME ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN RONGO DISTRICT, KENYA

Authors:
Lukes Onyango and Aketch Ngonga ,Kenya

Abstract:
This study sought to investigate the role of youth empowerment on rural development in Rongo district. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 100 youths, 10 community leaders, and 30 social development workers. The study used structured questionnaires targeting the youths and an interview schedule for the local community leaders to collect data. Descriptive statistics (frequency distributions and mean) were used to analyze and summarize study data while inferential statistics such as chi square were employed to test the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The study established that Jua kali, environmental conservation, HIV/AIDS prevention and financial empowerment through youth trust fund were the main activities practiced under the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme in Rongo district. There existed a significant relationship between participation level of the youth and rural development. There was a further significant relationship between accessibility of the project and rural development. The study also showed that there existed a significant relationship between the length of the programs and rural development in Rongo District. The study recommends that there is need of engaging the private sector in providing employment and training and that priority should be given to sub-projects that can be implemented rapidly using labor intensive techniques. The study also recommends that Rongo district should adopt the best practice operational features of public works program. Together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Government should endeavor to master the management of the implemented programs and develop a design that allows for flexibility based on demand, with possible scaling-up and scaling-down as necessary