Influence of donor fundend project on community development case of Morulem Irrigation Scheme, Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Donors are the main decision-makers in international development because they finance the majority of interventions. However, foreign aid is not transferred directly from donors to beneficiaries, but passes through the hands of numerous individuals and organizations involved in an ‘aid delivery chain’ that since the 1990s has become increasingly complex. Few studies have been conducted to establish the sustainability of these donor funded projects. This poses a gap that this study seek to fill through an investigation of the impact of donor funded project on community development Case of Morulem Irrigation Scheme, Turkana County, Kenya. The study was specifically determine effect on food security in community development, to assess the effect of social facilities on community development, to evaluate the effect of culture change on community development and to determine effect of economic empowerment on community development. The study was guided by Equilibrium Theory of Social Change which state that a change in one part leads to a compensatory change in other parts until the entire social system returns to some level of stability or equilibrium. The study adopted explanatory research design. Population of study comprised over 3000 beneficiaries that include community members, church members and learning institutions of the Morulem Irrigation scheme (MIS). Sample size of 200 beneficiaries was randomly selected. Data was collected from the respondents using questionnaires as the principal data collection instrument. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation was used to aid in generation of results. The data will be presented in form of frequency tables and Pie charts among others. From the study findings it was indicated that Morulem Irrigation scheme enhances community development through provision of agriculture input and social facilities. MIS also has promoted culture and enhanced security situations. In addition the study has also shown that MIS is important in improving the community economically. Therefore, there should be more distribution of quality seed within relevant time especially during planting session. Moreover, agriculture inputs such as variety of quality fertilizer should be provided with low price if necessary free.