The Failure of Poverty Alleviation Strategies Adopted in Developing Countries a Case Study of Kenya Between 1995 -2008

Abstract

Poverty eradication has been the main objective of Kenya’s development policy since independence in 1963. The first development plan highlighted debilitating ignorance, diseases and misery and called for their eradication. However poverty is still widespread and server. In 1994, 47% of the rural and 30% of the urban population was poor. The overall poverty was estimated at 56% (51.5% urban and 59.6% rural) in 2007. The main objective of this study therefore is to review the poverty situation in Kenya, the alleviation strategies that have been undertaken between the years 1995 to 2008 and to propose changes if any. The literature reviews the broad concepts of poverty; it defines poverty and highlights the poverty measurement tools currently in use. It discusses various poverty concepts and causes and highlights the differences between rural and urban poverty. This study adopts the contemporary multi dimensional notions of poverty as its guiding theory. And endeavours to see poverty as being caused by individuals as well as factors beyond their control. The researcher relied on primary and secondary data. Primary data was gotten through interviews of three respondents: one directly involved in poverty alleviation at the grass roots; the other two are involved in policy formulation and implementation. The study found out that arid and semi arid regions in Kenya have high rates of poverty, here policy interventions should provide viable development alternatives. And overall rural areas have the highest incidences of poverty than urban areas. Changes in poverty in Kenya depend not only on sustasining high economic growth but also on changes in income inequality through distributional policies. Poverty alleviation policies should therefore spur economic growth, facilitate physical access to markets - especially in lagging regions and rural areas, remedy failures in markets relating to factors such as credit and also target the youth. To enable pro-poor growth the governments role should be the provision of public goods and social protection mechanisms, and the creation of institutional conditions for more inclusive and equitable development. It is also recommended that the intended beneficiaries of any anti poverty policy recognise that it is aimed at them or that it is an adequate response to their needs.