Food aid and livelihoods in Kyatune Location, Mutomo District: A case study of World Food Programme (WFP)

Abstract

Food aid discourse is of interest and controversial development aid. It is a particularly topical and relevant issue of development concern in the Kenyan context where food shortages have become a regular occurrence. This study focused on livelihoods of recipients of food aid by assessing whether project food aid had made a difference on their households. The major objective of the study therefore was to determine the extent to which food aid led to improvement of livelihoods of households or increased their dependency thus leading to chronic poverty. Primary data was collected through a survey with the use of questionnaires, key informants interviews, and observation. The study was conducted between May 2009 to November 2009. The data collection was confined to household beneficiaries and key informants in Kyatune location, Mutomo District. Secondary data was derived mainly from journals, library books, newspapers, internet and World Food Programme (WFP) project documents especially report evaluations. Data analysis was done by both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The findings and discussions on the role of food aid in the improvement of livelihoods established that WFP food aid through school feeding programme, maternal child health and food for work have to a large extent helped the households meet their basic necessities, albeit without making them food-self sufficiency. With regard to the relationship between food aid and persistent poverty, it was established that a strong correlation existed between the two as households that received food aid seemed to be trapped in persistent poverty. From the findings of the study, it was concluded that WFP food aid plays a key role in the improvement of livelihoods in communities. With regard to the main objective for the study, there was overwhelming evidence that it had made significant improvement of households livelihoods by enabling them to meet their basic needs, especially by addressing the most important human needs such as food, education and health. There was, however no signi ficant proof that food aid increased dependence among the households as they made an effort to produce their own food. However, the harsh climatic conditions and lack of large scale irrigation deterred progress in ensuring food self-sufficiency. The study therefore recommends that WFP food aid should continue to focus and intensify its programmes in education, health, food, and employment aspects since they largely sustain livelihoods of the households trapped in persistent poverty. Further, there is need for large scale irrigation

projects to ensure food self sufficiency. Also, training and education especially for children in schools should be continued and strengthened.