Determinants of poverty in Kenya case study of Trans Mara district, Rift valley province.

Abstract

This study identifies the determinants (or proximate indicators) of poverty in Trans Mara District and makes policy recommendations on antipoverty initiatives that are pro-poor. The study uses secondary data from 70 households, (7 clusters with 10 households each), enumerated during the 1997 Welfare Monitoring Survey. The Logit Model is used to derive the determinants of poverty using Stata computer software. Our results show that health (time taken to reach the nearest health facility as a proxy for accessibility to health service), roadster taken to reach public transport as a proxy for road infrastructure), sanitary conditions, level of education, household size and land are major determinants of poverty in rural areas. The study proposes several policy recommendations that promote rural development and reduce the incidence of poverty amongst the rural poor. Specifically, enhancement of agricultural productivity, investment in health, educati6n, sanitation and improvement of road infrastructure should be encouraged. ln addition, the government, in partnership with all stakeholders should provide a conducive environment that enhances income and asset redistribution while targeting the poor and vulnerable in the society. We recommend that these pollees be implemented in close collaboration with the rural communities to enhance their effectiveness in reducing poverty.