Status of poverty in rural Kenya:A case study of Nyeri district

Abstract

The paper assesses empirically the status of poverty in Nyeri district. We use data derived from the third welfare monitoring survey carried out by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Finance and Planning. A well-known model by Foster, Greer, and Thorbecke (1984) is used in this paper to compute poverty rates. The model uses pre-determined poverty lines that are generated using a regression method in the case of Food-Energy-Intake (FEI) line and linear programming tools in the case of the Cost-of Basic-Needs (CBN) line. Poverty profiles by division and agro-ecological zones are then determined for purposes of identifying poverty pockets within the district. The results show that poverty prevalence in Nyeri is higher than previously claimed. The food and absolute head-count poverty rates for the district in 1997 were estimated to be 35% and 36% respectively when national poverty lines are applied, compared to the rates obtained by Republic of Kenya, (2000) of 32% (food) and 31% (absolute). The study also finds that despite the low district-level poverty rates, abject poverty pockets exist, a fact that underscores the importance of disaggregating poverty analysis to the sub-district level. The lower highland zone comprising of Othaya, Tetu, and some parts of Nyeri Municipality, although one of Kenya's most well endowed regions in terms of agro-ecology and social infrastructure, has the highest rates of poverty, and account for about 48% of the district's absolute poverty. Poverty inequality and severity are also highest in this region. Another interesting finding of the study is that contrary to public's perception that Kieni plateau is poorer than the other regions of the district, it is actually the richest. Its absolute poverty incidence is 21%, which is much lower than the district mean of 35% and contributes only 11% to district poverty. The study suggests some measures for reducing poverty in Nyeri district and rural areas in general.