Role of Community Capacity Building in Ensuring Sustainability of Food Security Project: A Case of the Millennium Villages Project in Bar Sauri, Gem- Kenya

This study explored the functional role of community capacity building in ensuring sustainability of Bar-Sauri Millennium Villages Project beyond the five years funding period. The study used descriptive survey research design, an interview schedule and questionnaires to establish the sustainability of tangible benefits of MVP. The questionnaire was administered to 380 respondents selected by simple random sampling. A response rate of 79% was obtained. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to present the findings. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19. The findings indicate that there were trained community leaders to help villagers understand the MVP goals however, the residents of Bar-Sauri were not competent enough in sustaining the MVP if the donor funding ends. The MVP has introduced several sustainability interventions; most effective strategy being financial literacy. From the study, the following strategies for capacity building for new projects similar to MVP were found out: Training in marketing, involving the community in the conception stage of the project and in the decision making stages concerning the project, Training in farm management and post harvesting practices such as storage, diversification of agricultural activities, improvement of educational institutions in the millennium village. The study recommended that further research should be carried out in Bar-Sauri encompassing other variables not included in this study. A similar research should be conducted in other MVP sites in Africa: That is Ruhiira in Uganda, Pampaida in Nigeria, Bonsaaso in Ghana, Mwandana in Malawi. Studies that relate to the effective implementation of programs and support policies for MVPs in Kenya and Africa should be carried out. Studies should cover strategies used by successful MVPs in sustaining the project beyond the donor funded period to scale up to other local, national and international food security programs