The role of NGO's in Kenya development: the case of Isiolo district in eastern province.(1990-2002)

Abstract

The study assesses the role ofNGOs in Kenya's development using Isiolo as a case study from the period 1990 - 2002. The study examines major issues arising as NGOs interact with the government in the development process. The study also examines the relationship between the local NGOs and the international NGOs. The study arrives at a number of findings. The NGOs and the government generally pursue a similar development approach, that is, participatory development. They achieve this by working through Community Based Organizations and other interest groups in the local community or by working with individual members of the community. In addition, the government and the NGOs have a broadly warm and cordial relationship despite isolated cases of conflict between some NGOs and the government. The study identifies the causes of these conflicts as mistrust and suspicion that exist between the NGOs and the government due to poor and ineffective consultation in the development process. The study concludes that in order to create an enabling environment for NGOs operations, the government and the NGOs need to consult each other regularly. This will help in reducing the mistrust and suspicion that breed conflict between them.

Moreover, the study identifies the relationship between local NGOs and international NGOs as one of unequal partners. International NGOs are superior to the local NGOs in terms of the financial and human resources under their control. The study concludes that local NGOs need to reduce their dependency on international NGOs and other foreign donors to make them more independent. Local NGOs should find alternative sources of funds like local fundraising. Furthermore the NGO sector is characterized by poor and ineffective networking. This leads to duplication of projects by NGOs. The study concludes that the NGO sector needs to strengthen their networking to ensure that those working in similar areas combine effort thus reducing likelihood of duplication of projects. The study advocates for more collaboration between the NGO sector and the private sector in implementation of development projects. This is in order to reduce the total cost ofNGO programmes. - .. The study finally recommends a number of areas for fu~ research. First, the relationship between CBOs and NGOs needs further exploration. Secondly, there is need to examine more NGOs case studies so as to provide more data on the dynamics of NGOs and development in Kenya