Assessment of variables influencing abject poverty in Mandera county, Kenya

Abstract

The primary goal of this study was to shed light on the causes of severe poverty in Kenya's Mandera County and how they have evolved over time. In specifically, the following theories were the focus of this study: Is the poverty rate in Mandera County, Kenya, related to the number of people living there? Does a person's level of education in Mandera County, Kenya, have any influence on whether or not they are severely impoverished? Does one's job title make a difference? Does political stability in Kenya's Mandera County have an effect on the level of poverty there? The tremendous poverty in Kenya's Mandera County motivated this study. The descriptive technique was employed for this investigation. Mandera County was the location of the investigation. The 2019 census by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) provided both the population estimate of 1,200,890 and the sample size of 96. The majority of the information was gathered via the use of questionnaires. Following the evaluation, the tool was adjusted to maximize the quality of the data it was gathering. The draft was revised based on their comments, which helped ensure the information was accurate. The survey's legitimacy was further bolstered by its having undergone preliminary editing and by consulting with experts for feedback on which questions to ask. Before beginning the analysis process, the questionnaire was double checked for typos and made random checks to make sure nothing had been missed. Cleaning, editing, coding, and tabulating the data were all part of a thorough analytical procedure after double-checking of the consistency of the questionnaires. The study findings show that the majority of respondents agreed that the fact that some families in Mandera have many children contributes significantly to the region's high population, which in turn may restrict economic prospects and ultimately contribute to people living in poverty. Most respondents agreed that early marriage, particularly among girls, was a major role in the persistence of poverty since it caused many young women to leave school. This was followed by a consideration suggesting that high school grads may not go on to further education and might, thus, stay economically disadvantaged. It was determined that the majority of respondents agreed that the lack of employment opportunities is a major contributor to poverty in Mandera, followed by the belief that there are not enough businesses and industries in the region to support the local population. The majority of respondents agreed that there had been an uptick in tribal clashes in Mandera, and that this was likely to be followed by an uptick in insecurity, both of which would make it difficult for locals to support themselves economically. Since most people in Mandera view children as a source of labor, the study recommends that reducing the number of family members is necessary to alleviate extreme poverty in the region. To ensure the majority of its citizens, if not all, attend school and gain the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the region and reduce extreme poverty, the county government of Mandera must devise strategies such as paying school fees to those who cannot afford to do so. In the event of inclement weather that reduces crop yields, the county might encourage the populace to adopt innovative farming technology and practices that will increase the quality and quantity of agricultural products for human consumption and commercial sale. Terrorism has always been a problem in Mandera County due to its proximity to Somalia; as a result, securing the county's porous border will benefit its residents by making the area safer for commerce. Since political corruption is so pervasive, the organizations tasked with monitoring how tax are spent in a specific county need to step up their game.