Provision of information for improving livelihoods among communities in arid and semi-arid lands (asals) in Kenya: The case of Maarifa Telecentres

Abstract

Telecentres are established to provide information to bridge the information and digital gap, foster development and address the needs of the poor in remote and isolated rural areas in developing countries. The purpose of this study was therefore, to explore the provision of information through Maarifa Telecentres, to improve livelihoods of communities living in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya. The specific objectives were: to establish the information needs of ASALs communities served by Maarifa centres; to explore information services provided by Maarifa centres to ASALs communities; to examine access and use patterns of information by ASALs communities benefiting from Maarifa centres in Kenya; to determine policies in place that facilitate development and utilisation of Maarifa centres in Kenya, and to analyse the challenges and prospects of Maarifa centres in provision of information to rural communities in Kenya, to make recommendations and develop a framework for improving information use for sustainable livelihoods among communities in ASALs regions in Kenya. The study employed a multiple case study research design as an overall strategy and drew upon multiple data sources to develop a triangulation of methods. Qualitative research was used as a dominant paradigm. Data were collected through interviews from a sample of 80 respondents from five Maarifa centres, namely: Nguruman in Magadi, Mutomo in Kitui, Isinya in Kajiado, Ng’arua in Laikipia and Marigat in Baringo. In addition, five focus group discussions were conducted with the users of the telecentres. Key informants included directors and programme coordinators of Maarifa centres, members of the Communication Authority of Kenya and ICT Board of Kenya. This study was informed by two theoretical frameworks namely: the DFID’s Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Approach and Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations. These findings of the study indicate that Maarifa centres are points of Arid Lands Information Networks (ALINs) engagement with communities living in ASALs. People appreciate Maarifa centres as places to access information, acquire ICT skills, do business through Sokopepe, a mobile phone and online based knowledge management platform for agricultural information. It features among others: a payment solution, agricultural commodity prices, inputs and outputs information; tips on good husbandry; post-harvest practices and enhanced agricultural practices. The study contributes to knowledge because it adopts a community-centred approach that focuses on the views of users of Maarifa centres. The challenges are mainly infrastructural which slow down connectivity and internet access. This study revealed that Maarifa centres have solved most of the community’s information related challenges through access to e-government services, e-commerce and agricultural development and knowledge creation, resulting in improved livelihoods. The study also revealed that these developments were realised due to collaboration between partners such as government ministries, funding agencies and community participation. The study concludes by confirming that Maarifa centres have improved ASALs communities lives by facilitating access to information relevant to their livelihood needs an bridging the digital divide. The study proposes a framework dubbed “Human-Techno interface for telecentre services” that applies lessons obtained from the findings of this study. Stakeholders can use these findings to foster sustainable livelihoods for communities living in ASAL regions in Kenya.