Effect of sociocultural empowerment on community wellbeing in Marsabit County ; Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, the ASALs occupy more than 80 percent of the country and are home to over 10 million people. Despite their high development potential, the ASALs have the lowest development indicators and highest poverty incidence amongst all areas in Kenya. More than 60 percent of ASAL inhabitants, for instance, live in conditions of abject poverty subsisting on less than one US dollar per day. The study determined the effect of sociocultural empowerment on community wellbeing in Marsabit, Kenya. Descriptive research design was take on in the study. The target population of the study was made up of 800 beneficiaries of donor support programmes. A sample of 80 respondents was selected using random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires. Correlation and multiple regression model was used to establish the relationship between sociocultural empowerment and community wellbeing. The study found that sociocultural empowerment was positively and significantly related with community wellbeing. The study concluded that sociocultural empowerment have a positive effect on the community empowerment. The study recommends for government to understand, and strengthen the community capacities, which are the primary source of solutions to local problems. Governments with the assistance of NGOs need to commit to a long-term process of local organizational development through good governance through partnership and networking