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Community-Based Monitoring System for Local Authorities in Kenya now available!

About CBMS-Kenya

Year Pilot-tested

2007

CBMS Coverage Area

Laini, Tarasaa and Walesorrhea sublocations in Tana River District

Although the government of Kenya conducts regular welfare monitoring surveys, the macro-level analysis camouflages wide regional variations. Even at the provincial level, there are differences in poverty that are based on district, location and sub-location level specific conditions. These differences can be explained in terms of the general multidimensional nature of poverty. In Tana River district factors such as drought, changes in climatic conditions, changing livelihoods and ethnic conflicts have contributed to high poverty levels. Ethnic conflict in the district can be traced back to pre-independence days, and continues to contribute to low socio-economic development. It is against this background that the current study seeks to develop a local poverty monitoring system (LPMS) with the residents of Tana River district.

Project Activities

Phase one: Qualitative data collection
This will be a participatory process that will seek to engage the community members in in-depth discussions regarding the community life, their cultural ways of relating to their neighbours, access to services, wealth characterization, conflict resolution strategies and the changes that have occurred over time. The study will be inclusive, targeting participants from the three communities while at the same time focusing on the elderly, adult men and women, and the youth (the latter regarded as future leaders and communities). In addition, the discussions will be utilized to refine the questionnaire for use in the household census. The tools to be used in this phase will be seasonal calendars, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.

Phase two: Household census
To complement the qualitative data collection tools, a household census will be conducted on a pilot basis in three sub-locations presented in the table below.

Source: GOK 2002 based on the 1999 population census

The census will be conducted using a household questionnaire in all households in the three sub-locations sequentially. Livestock migratory routes will be identified through the local Livestock and Fisheries Department for tracking the migratory populations. Once routes are identified, members of the migratory households will be followed up and interviewed.

Phase three: Implementation of the revised LPMS design in Bura division of Tana River district.
This phase will be aimed at assessing the implementation of the LPMS in the entire Bura division. The community will lead the data collection process and preliminary analysis, with support from the local government. AIHD will only provide supervisory support.

Forms, Papers and Reports  

Household Questionnaire

Papers and Reports

Paper on the Global Financial Crisis

An initiative of the CBMS Network, this aims to assess the impacts of the Global Financial Crisis on the sentinel sites in 11 countries. Read more

CBMS-Kenya Phase 1 

CBMS-Kenya Phase 2

Partner Institution

The African Institute for Health and Development (AIHD) was established in April 2004 and registered in Nairobi, Kenya by a group of accomplished African researchers and academicians. The Institute’s main focus is on conducting research, training and advocacy on health and development issues that are contextually relevant to Kenya and to the African continent. The Institute is also involved in policy formulation on key development issues such as HIV and AIDS, poverty alleviation and malaria, while looking at these from a human rights perspective. The Institute works closely with local and international development partners, such as the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), MAP International, and the World Bank. The founder members have been involved in development work in various capacities in Kenya and in the region.

To accomplish its various activities the Institute has the vision of “Working with communities for better lives” which it seeks to adapt in all its activities. The main focus is on building the capacity of community groups; facilitate resourcing from within; and in-building sustainability mechanisms. AIHD is also committed to building the capacity of young people to work with communities ensuring a generation of trained and capable professionals in community development.

Contact Information

Inquiries regarding CBMS-Kenya may be sent to:

Dr. Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo
CBMS-Kenya Project Director
African Institute for Health and Development (AIHD)
P.O. Box 45259 00100
TelFax: +254-020-4764199/3873385
Nairobi, Kenya
Website: www.aihd.org

Ms. Alice Sereti Sinkeet

Mr. Kimora Said