An Impact Assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategies in Kenya: Case Study of Kenya Agricultural and Sustainable Land Management Program (KAPSLM) In Nyandarua County

A Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the United States International University - Africa in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the award of a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations.(Integrated Studies)The Government of Kenya has been on the move to eradicate poverty in the country. This has been seen through various Poverty eradication strategies and other papers put in place by the government. This study assesses the impact of Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Sustainable Land Management (KAPSLM) as poverty eradication strategy. It focuses on whether it has created and strengthened the self-sufficiency of smallholders’ rural farmers. It also focuses on whether the innovative and productive capacity of the smallholder rural farmers has been attained in order to reduce poverty and enhance development. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approach. Nyandarua County was purposively selected being one of the areas covered by KAPSLM. Using a cross-sectional survey research design, the study was conducted on 116 households who were selected using simple random sampling procedure. Rwanyambo, Njambini, Githabai, and Bamboo are the areas that were included in the study, and the sample was selected from these areas using proportionate sampling to ensure representativeness. A pilot study was conducted in Nakuru County to provide the basis for testing the validity of the data collection instrument. The instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.76. The study revealed that nappier grass planting, digging terraces, fruit and vegetable farming, dairy farming, apiculture, and aquaculture are the main aspect of the projects implemented by farmers. The main benefits that the farmers realized from the project include increased incomes, diversification of farm enterprises, reduced soil erosion, and diversification of food sources, among others. The costs associated with project implementation acted as a major hindrance to the full implementation of the project in the project area. The study concludes that the projects implemented had a significant influence on poverty reduction in Nyandarua County. The study recommends that there is a need for further research to ascertain the best option among the various projects implemented by farmers