IRDP

Integrated Rural Development Project (2015-2018)

Project Overview

Funded by Bread for the World, was implemented in all six counties of the North Rift for 3 years.

The project implementation was guided by the following objectives;

To enhance the engagement of 360 CIGs in their self-help initiatives so as to improve their own livelihoods.
To enhance the engagement of 360 CIGs to influence policy implementation at the community level.

Achievements

The project intervention has spurred the formation and/or strengthening of 342 CIGs across the project zones. All the CIGs have clear group structures, defined conflict handling mechanisms, and kept clear records of proceedings and financial affairs. There is evidence of increased cohesion among group members. The project has contributed to the enhancement of the CIGs organization and focus, with clear governance structures in place. About 90% of all the CIGs have clear and documented rules and regulations. In pastoral areas of Turkana and West Pokot, most agreements are oral/verbal and usually witnessed by elders. This does not make them any less binding than written agreements. Overall, 85% of them are registered with the ministry of culture and social services, a process that requires the CIG to have by-laws
There are also enhanced food security initiatives across all the zones, for instance, the group members residing along River Turkwel in Turkana County have planted varieties of foodstuffs like maize, sorghum, beans, and assorted vegetables.

The project beneficiaries have become better managers of their resources, especially land, labor, and time. The areas of interest that have had the most impact on the CIGs were Food Security, Economic Empowerment, and Enterprise and Health. This is because these are the issues that had the greatest impact on their vulnerability. In giving these issues their greatest attention the CIGs were able to significantly reduce their levels of vulnerability.
Increased incomes in the households through income-generating initiatives as well as peace initiatives especially in West Pokot and Turkana.
There has been evidence of nascent lobbying and advocacy initiatives with commendable results where the community members have managed to demand services from the duty bearers. For instance, in the Nabiswa project area in Trans-Nzoia zone members of the community mobilized themselves through their CIG network and lobbied the local leadership to repair a badly damaged culvert that had cut off market access for their produce. Another case of a successful advocacy intervention was observed in Tebeson project area where Kamelilo-Korosiot road which had been neglected for 15 years was recently graveled. This was as a result of Tebeson Tea SHG petitioning their member of parliament to allocate resources for the graveling of the road. This has eased transportation of their farm produce to the factories and market.

ADS - North Rift Projects

All our projects are undertaken based on the greatest need for poverty alleviation as informed by socio-economic indicators, always with the disposition of love and respect for God and His people.