Socio-Economic Effects of Development Projects On People's Livelihood: Sondu-Miriu Hydro-Electric Power Project and Nyakach People

Abstract

Development projects in most cases tend to illicit a lot of attention from the community whenever they are initiated. For instance, the communities always feel that all their desires and needs can easily be articulated with the implementation of such projects. This however is not usually the case as evidenced with the implementation of various development projects. Most of the imaginations do remain theoretical; for not all projects initiated fulfill local people's expectations. This study therefore evaluated the socio-economiceffects of development projects on people's livelihood; using Sondu-Miriuhydro-electricpower project in Nyakach district as a case study. The study objectives were to examine the sources of people's livelihood in Nyakach before the implementation of the project; to assess the socio-economic benefits associated with its implementation,to evaluate the challenges and to explore appropriate measures that can assist in addressing the unanticipated socio-economic challenges and improve local people's livelihood. The study; based on Rostow's theory of modernization developed a conceptual framework showing the relationship between the project and local people's livelihood. A case study research design exploring both qualitative and quantitative methods was applied. In determination of the sample size, stratified random sampling,purposive and simple random samplings were employed to select respondents by virtue of their knowledge concerning the effects of the project. The collected data was then analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics with the assistance of SPSS computer package, version 17. The researcher used frequency tables, pie charts and pictures to make meaningful conclusions on the socio-economic effects of development projects on people's livelihood. Arising from the study, it was noted that, in spite of the implementation of the project, local community's reliance on the initial sources of livelihood is still greatly evidenced. It was further revealed that, though the implementation of the project had challenges to the local community, some beneficial impacts are appreciated which include among others; the upgrading of socio-economic structures like roads, rural electrification, youth empowerment and increased small scale trading.The study recommends participation where the local community members should become critical stakeholders having important role in management of development projects rather than just being recipients; they should fully be made aware and educated on what the project to be initiated among them entails to determine their level of involvement; it also emerged that there is need for community mobilization on theeffective maintenance of a development project for a lasting sustainability and improved livelihood