Abstract:
Donor funded projects are considered valuable given their socio-economic complementary role
to the government in the provision of public goods. There is however, close relationship
between donor funded projects and the community participation initiatives in the achievement of
the project goals. This, paper sought to examine community participation in donor projects
among pastoral communities of Northern Kenya while suggesting areas that require the
attention of potential stakeholders. Using survey design, respondents were selected using multistage
sampling before applying simple random sampling to select five hundred respondents.
Data was primarily collected using questionnaires although additional data was collected
through in-depth interviews and focused group discussions with key informants. The study
reveals that the region has continued to suffer from various challenges over the years including
perennial drought which affects agriculture and livestock farming; inadequate access to social
services, poor infrastructure, insecurity, conflict, cultural issues, to mention a few. Key projects
implemented in the region were in education, water, health, livestock production and veterinary
services, environmental conservation, conflict management, food security and emergency
programs, and economic empowerment among others. Other findings were insignificant
community involvement in the planning and implementation of the projects, capacity gaps in
managing projects; insignificant community support in terms of resources and effective
participation in donor projects. It is recommended that donor projects should embrace community participation at all levels of project implementation; capacity development at
community level as well as enhanced resource mobilization and awareness strategies for
purposes of community ownership of the projects, commitment resources by the local
communities through sensitization forums
