Okeyo Samwel Otieno

Participatory Poverty Analysis (PPA) Approaches and methods which enable local people to analyze, share and enhance their understanding of life and conditions, therefore can plan and act. Participatory approach enhance people’s awareness and confidence. Participatory poverty analysis aims at understanding poverty dimensions within the cultural, social, political and economic environment of a locality (Booth et al. 1998). The approach privileges the perceptions held by the local people. Participatory poverty analysis also emphasize the ability of the poor people to explore and analyze their own reality. This facilitates understanding of reality as it exists at the local level, through local people’s own analysis. Methodology. The aim of the formula is to identify perceptions held by individuals towards poverty, and how the local people can be engaged in addressing their own conditions, which predispose them to poverty (basis of the questions for PPA). A variety of tools can be applied during the assessment. Cornwall, et al (1993) suggests visualized analysis, group and team dynamic methods, as well as interviewing and sampling. This is achieved through participatory mapping and modelling. The poor locals are asked to map out on demographic, social and health environment. Secondly is trend, time lines and analysis of change. Evaluation of changes in the use of land, patterns in cropping, and chronologies of events key to local life. Analysis of the seasonal calendars, which shows variations in expenditure, diet, activities and labour. Grouping and ranking based on wealth and well- being. Households are categorized by identifying locally perceived indicators for well-being. Findings. As stated in “The Voices of the poor,” wellbeing and ill-being are perceived by people in terms of material wellbeing. These entails clothing, shelter, food, and housing. Secondly is physical wellbeing, which relates to strength, health and appearance. Third is security, which focus on survival and peace of mind. Fourth is freedom of choice and action. This is the absence of exploitation, humiliating treatment and rudeness. Individuals should also be able to acquire skills, resources, services, loans, education and information to enable them live in good places. Finally is social wellbeing. This entails good relationship in the community and within the family as well (Narayan et al 1999). Baseline statistics in Kisumu County. Social exclusion With regards to the year 2011 forming the basis of the prevailing facts, in relation to poverty status in Kisumu County, most NGOs work towards eradicating poverty and promote social inclusion. Majority of the population in Kisumu County lacked full access to various opportunities, resources and rights because of high levels of poverty. By 2011, only a smaller percentage had full access to employment, healthcare, housing, due process, democratic participation and civic engagement. Many thanks to devolve governments that has promoted social inclusion. Access to services. The services include health, education, justice, financial assistance. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights compiled a report in response to the complaints made by the public in relation to lack of access, quality and cost of healthcare in Kisumu County. Accessibility to the healthcare was excellent, except services which is estimated at 1:60, doctor to patient ratio respectively (KNCHR, 2017). Security Kenya Police Survey of 2016 conducted in Kisumu County confirmed the high level of insecurity. 70% of the respondents described the level of security in the county as insecure. The report also indicated that there was higher number of crimes in Kisumu, with 237 cases per 100,000 people being recorded. Theft of property and burglary ranked the highest at 48%, an indication of high poverty levels. This therefore shows that people and their property were not secured (Transparency International, 2016) Access to productive asset Lack of human rights Questionnaires. Appendix 1: Questionnaire PLEASE TICK THE APPROPRIATE ANSWER GENDER MALE FEMALE AGE BRACKET 18 – 24 25 – 30 31 – 35 36 – ABOVE HOW SERIOUS A PROBLEM IS POVERTY IN YOUR LOCALITY TODAY? A. A big problem. B. Somewhat a problem. C. A small problem. D. Not a problem at all. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF POVERTY IN YOUR LOCALITY TODAY? A. Circumstances beyond control lead people into poverty. i. Name the circumstances, if A is picked (Open). .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... B. People are not doing enough to come out of poverty. TO WHAT EXTENT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CAUSE OF POVERTY? i. Shortage of jobs/Unemployment. A. Major cause. B. Minor cause. C. Not a cause at all. ii. Poor people lacking motivation. A. Major cause. B. Minor cause. C. Not a cause at all. iii. Poor quality of education. A. Major cause. B. Minor cause. C. Not a cause at all. iv. Decline in moral values. A. Major cause. B. Minor cause. C. Not a cause at all. ACCORDING TO YOU, MOST POOR PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHO; A. Work but earn little income. B. Do not work at all. C. No idea at all. IN YOUR OPINION, DO YOU THINK POVERTY HAS BEEN INCREASING, DECREASING, CONSTANT IN YOUR LOCALITY? A. Increasing. B. Decreasing. C. The same. D. Don’t know. Reference. Booth, D., Jeremy. Jescho H., Peter L., & Alicia, H. (1998). Participation and Combined Methods in African Poverty Assessments: Renewing the Agenda. DFID Social Development Division Africa Division. Cornwall, A., Irene, G., & Alice, W. (1993). Acknowledging processes: challenges for agricultural research and extension methodology. IDS Discussion Paper 333. KNCHR. (2017). The Right to Health: A Case Study of Kisumu County. Retrieved November 26, 2018. http://www.knchr.org/Portals/0/EcosocReports/Report%20on%20the%20Right%20to%20Health%20in%20Kisumu%20County.pdf?ver=- Narayan, D., Robert C., Meera, K. S., & Patti, P. (1999). Global Synthesis. Prepared for the Global Synthesis Workshop: Consultations with the Poor. World Bank, Washington, DC. Transparency International. (2016). Kenya Police Service Satisfaction Survey and Needs Analysis Report, 2016: A Focus on Kisumu and Nairobi Counties. Retrieved November 27, 2018. https://tikenya.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kenya-Police-Survey-2016.pdf